Noam Chomsky & Kathleen Cleaver on Geronimo Pratt, COINTELPRO, Corporations (7/7) (1997)

October 16, 1997 http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.... Watch the full program: http://thefilmarchived.blogspot.com/2010/11/noam-chomsky-and-kathleen-cleaver...

In 1968, Caroline Olsen, a 27-year-old elementary school teacher, was murdered by gunshot during a robbery on a Santa Monica tennis court. Olsen's husband, Kenneth, who was also shot but survived, initially identified another man as the killer. Julius Butler, a Black Panther and police informant, fingered Geronimo Pratt as the killer. In 1970 Pratt was arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping.

His attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., assured his client that the charges would be dropped, given that Pratt had been 350 miles away on the night of the murder and could prove it. But they were met with surprising setbacks, from lying prosecution witnesses trooped to exculpatory evidence disappearing at police stations and the L.A. District Attorney's office. Later it was revealed that FBI "moles" had infiltrated defense sessions and monitored Cochran's phone calls.

Pratt always maintained his innocence. During his incarceration he studied law and steadfastly built a defense. Pratt was represented by attorneys Stuart Hanlon and Johnnie Cochran in his original trial. Together with William Paparian, Hanlon contributed much to the appeals that later led to Pratt's conviction being vacated.

Pratt's conviction was vacated on June 10, 1997, on the grounds that the prosecution had concealed evidence that might have exonerated the defendant. In particular, the government had not disclosed that a key witness against Pratt, Julius Butler, was an informant for both the FBI and the LAPD. An appeals court ruled held this fact to be "'favorable' to the defendant, 'suppressed' by a law enforcement agency, and 'material' to the jury's decision to convict."

Pratt eventually received $4.5 million as settlement for false imprisonment. A federal judge approved the settlement of the civil suit: The city of L.A. paid $2.75 million of the settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice paying the $1.75 million remainder.

Pratt continues to work on behalf of men and women who are believed to be wrongfully incarcerated, in addition to his work with the Kuji Foundation Inc. He has participated in rallies in support of Mumia Abu-Jamal, whom he had met when both were active as Black Panthers.

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[bodhisattva99]

where's 6/7?  I couldn't find it...

[thefilmarchive]

@bodhisattva99 They can all be found at the link in the description under "Watch the full program"

[usquir]

Should read the Hanlon documentation as Mr. Pratt was never member only associa8ed as being viewed so likely due to circumstances. Turns out by own accord (wasn't there in person though please bear with truths of former veteran trying to work with youth as were panther organizers. This did not make him any more panther member than happening to live in same state as Hoover did 80 years earlier would make someone Menninte. Think about it. Research it for self. Seek facts. All decent options.;]

[buru44]

amazing. Thank you. Two amazing intellectuals together at last.

[TheDickey747]

Rip Geronimo. BK rot in hell boy

[bodhisattva99]

sorry. Thanks.

[oldhacks]

black panthers throw the Best parties :p