Judge rejects request to release FBI documents in Peltier case

[seemslikeadream]

By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer

April 6, 2005, 2:22 PM EDT

...

Peltier's attorneys are particularly interested in a 1975 message from the FBI's Buffalo office to the agency's headquarters indicating there may have been a government informant near Peltier's defense team, said attorney Michael Kuzma. The lawyer accused the FBI of misusing exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act to avoid releasing that and other documents that could reveal department misconduct.

...

The FBI in Buffalo has released nearly 800 pages of material, but is withholding 15 pages, citing exemptions allowed under the Freedom of Information Act for national security concerns and to protect the identity of agents and confidential sources.

...

Peltier, a North Dakota native, is serving two consecutive life sentences at the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., for the June 1975 killing of two FBI agents during a standoff on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

...

In the meantime, Peltier attorneys and the FBI have been discussing a deal that would have the FBI release all of its Peltier records to the National Archives to be made public. In exchange, Peltier's defense team would agree not to file additional lawsuits seeking their release.

more
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--peltier-documents0406apr06,0,4404889.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork


On the Net: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee: http://www.freepeltier.org

[acmavm]

1. National security my butt. If there was no hanky panky, then they should

release the files. Even if there was, they should release the files.

I smell a big fat rat.

[Elidor]

2. It's shameful what's been done to this man

He represents his people well. He's a tragic hero. It will be a happy day when he finally gains his release.

[Jilly Beans]

3. The bullets don't match the gun.

Free Leonard.

[Zorra]

4. Probably direct orders from Nixon telling the FBI to railroad LP. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

5. They need to clear this up by opening the records.

After all, they can't be blamed for what was done in the 1970's, can they? Are they worried they will be blamed for keeping him in prison NOW, knowing he needs to be released?

Are they hoping he'll die and everyone will forget? Of course they are. When do we get the answers?

This is wrong.