[News] Court refuses bail for former Panther

[News at freedomarchives.org]

August 26, 2004
Pannell waits behind bars

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Law/2004/08/26/pf-603100.html
COURT REFUSES BAIL
By <mailto:gretchen.drummie at tor.sunpub.com>GRETCHEN DRUMMIE -- Sun Media

TORONTO -- An alleged Black Panther accused of shooting and crippling a 
Chicago cop 35 years ago, lost his bid for bail yesterday. Joseph Coleman 
Pannell, aka Douglas Gary Freeman, 55, is wanted in the U.S. on charges 
including attempted murder and three counts of aggravated battery arising 
from the March 7, 1969 wounding of patrolman Terrence Knox.

He also faces a charge of jumping bail and has been considered a fugitive 
since 1974. It's alleged he's been living in Canada about 30 years, first 
in Quebec, and since 1987 in Mississauga. He was arrested in July as he 
left his job at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge. St. north of Bloor St.

Justice Ian Nordheimer said the question was whether Pannell is a flight 
risk. While not directly stating he is, the judge said it's "not difficult 
to see a scenario" where Pannell and wife Terrie Coelho "might decide life 
in another jurisdiction might be better" than facing extradition.

TWO DISTINCT PORTRAITS

He said there's a real possibility of conviction and a 20-year maximum 
penalty.

He also questioned whether Pannell's ties here provide "much of an 
impediment to flight." He has four grown kids.

Two distinct portraits of Pannell emerged in the bail hearing. He was 
seeking release pending an extradition hearing.

Coelho described a man with "a big heart" whom she says acted in 
"self-defence" in his Chicago "situation." Coelho admitted she knew about 
his background before they married in 1982, has kept his secret from 
everyone except their children, and carried on with a normal life.

Prosecutor Milica Potrebic Piccinato alleged that in 1969 Knox pulled up 
beside Pannell and asked why he wasn't in school. She said Pannell pulled 
out a gun and fired at Knox multiple times seriously wounding and disabling 
his arm.

She said he's "lived a lie" for 30 years.


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