The decision by President Joe Biden to commute Leonard Peltier’s sentence has ignited backlash, as it came just before he left office on Monday.
At 80 years old, Peltier has spent nearly five decades behind bars after being convicted for the murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in 1975. Adding to his troubled history, he escaped from federal prison in 1979 while serving his sentence, resulting in five additional years being added to his time. (abc.go.com)
Biden’s commutation occurred simultaneously with his release announcing preemptive pardons for five family members, including his brother, James Biden, who is under scrutiny from congressional Republicans. This announcement was made as Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony was beginning at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Christopher Wray, the former FBI Director, expressed his concerns about the commutation in a letter to Biden, which was sent shortly before both of their exits from office on January 10. Wray urged the president firmly against Peltier’s release, stressing, “It would be devastating for the victims’ families and would erode the ideals of justice and accountability that our government is meant to uphold.”
On June 26, 1975, Peltier was involved in a shootout that led to the deaths of FBI agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams on the Pine Ridge Reservation. (dustyjohnson.whitehouse.gov)
Wray characterized Peltier as a “remorseless killer” in his letter, stating, “He barbarically murdered two of our agents.” The former director deemed it utterly unjustifiable to grant Peltier any leniency and described such an action as a violation of the rule of law.
Following the killings, Peltier’s attempts to evade capture involved violent confrontations, including firing shots at law enforcement officers and committing burglary. After being apprehended months later in Canada, he infamously remarked that he would have harmed the approaching officers had he been aware of their presence.
Peltier’s escape from federal prison in 1979, following his conviction for first-degree murder was marked by further violence, with gunfire exchanged between escapees and prison personnel, resulting in one death during the incident.
His attorney, Kevin Sharp, contended prior to a parole hearing last year that the evidence leading to Peltier’s conviction was tainted. He argued that the trial was marred by prosecutorial misconduct, complications from the U.S. Attorney’s office, and issues with the FBI’s investigation, suggesting that the outcome would likely be different if the case were tried today.
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