Sundiata Acoli, 85, has been in prison for nearly fifty years for the 1973 murder of a police officer.
A New Jersey court granted parole to the oldest former member of the Black Panthers after serving nearly 50 years in prison.
Sundiata Acoli, 85, was sentenced to life in prison in 1974 for murdering a police officer the year before.
Founded in 1966, the Black Panthers were a revolutionary black nationalist and socialist group that advocated armed self-defense, particularly against the police.
The shooting that led to Acoli’s arrest took place after a routine traffic stop on a highway in the US state of New Jersey. In the ensuing conflict, one soldier, Werner Foerster, was killed and another wounded.
At the time, Acoli was traveling with Assata and Malik Shakur, two members of the Black Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Black Panthers. He was arrested after a police chase with Assata Shakur.
Acoli claims he lost consciousness after being shot in the crossfire for a long time and woke up with Foerster’s body next to him.
After being denied parole multiple times since becoming eligible 29 years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court has now voted two to three to overturn the parole board decision.
In a written opinion on Acoli’s case, court judges said his behavior in prison was “exemplary” and that he had completed 120 programs behind bars.
In 2010, a state-appointed psychologist determined that Acoli “seemed regretful” and expressed “deep regret” for his role in Foerster’s death.
The psychologist’s comments were echoed by Acoli at a parole hearing six years later.
“I deeply regret the actions that have taken place,” he said. “These were turbulent and fearful times.”
However, the parole board has repeatedly rejected attempts to profit, arguing that it still poses a threat to the public.
But the council’s views were “not supported by substantial credible evidence,” according to New Jersey Supreme Court Judge Barry T Albin.
Those who oppose Acoli’s release include New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who says anyone who kills a police officer should “stay behind bars for the rest of his life.”
At least 12 senior members of the Black Panthers are still in jail in the United States.
The member he was arrested, Assata Shakur? Was she formerly known as JoAnne Chesimard? He’s been on the run since his 1977 prison break.
He is believed to be in Cuba and is on the FBI’s Most Wanted List.
To this day, he is still seen as a hero for many left-wing US activists.
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source: Noticias
