[Ppnews] Charges Dropped - Jalil pleads no contest – Cisco's case continues - Herman's Statement

[Political Prisoner News]

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Monday, July 6, 2009



<http://freethesf8.blogspot.com/2009/07/charges-dropped-jalil-pleads-no-contest.html>Charges 
dropped - Jalil pleads no contest – Cisco's case continues

Finally, after years of unified resistance by the 
brothers and a the building of massive support, 
California State prosecutors were forced to admit 
that they have insufficient evidence against the San Francisco 8.

Charges against four of the defendants were 
dropped and Jalil Muntaqim pled no contest to 
conspiracy to commit voluntary manslaughter. The 
State prosecutor asked the court to sentence him 
to 12 months calling it "a drop in the bucket." 
Judge Moscone replied "unless you're the one 
doing the time." Jalil received credit for time 
served (close to 2 1/2 years in County Jail) and 
3 years probation. He will return to New York to fight for parole.

The charges were dismissed today against Ray 
Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones, and Harold Taylor.

The courtroom at 850 Bryant Street was packed 
with SF 8 supporters after a rally of hundreds 
and a huge Free SF 8 banner was displayed on the 
hillside of Bernal Heights to be seen from all 
over the city. (see the photo above)

"This is finally the disposition of a case that 
should never have been brought in the first 
place," announced attorney Soffiyah Elijah.

Francisco Torres still faces a court hearing on 
August 10th.  Francisco steadfastly maintains his 
innocence according to his attorney Charles 
Bourdon who intends to file a motion to dismiss 
the charges against his client.

Herman Bell entered a plea a week ago.


<http://freethesf8.blogspot.com/2009/06/herman-bell-pleads-guilty-to-reduced.html>Herman 
Bell Pleads Guilty to Reduced Charge of Manslaughter – No Prison Sentence

Herman Bell was supported by a courtroom of 
supporters June 29th as he entered a plea in the 
SF 8 case. After legal formalities he left the 
courtroom raising a clenched fist to the crowd.

Herman Bell pled guilty to the reduced charge of 
voluntary manslaughter for his role in the 
killing of San Francisco police officer John Young in 1971.

Part of the plea agreement is that Herman will 
not be a witness against his comrades and friends 
and cannot be called to any hearing as a witness by the prosecution.

His sentence is that he will be placed on 
informal probation for five years and will be 
allowed to immediately return to New York. He 
will receive absolutely no additional prison time for his actions.

Herman and his co-defendants have always 
maintained that because of the torture used by 
the New Orleans Police Department to gain alleged 
confessions and the lack of new evidence, these 
charges should never have been brought.

Herman's letter to supporters and friends follows.
***************************************
7/2/09

Dear friends­

Your strong showing of support at my 
plea/sentencing hearing this past Monday was 
truly heartening.  For me, removing the 
possibility of going to trial when a proposal 
(though unpalatable) is offered that would leave 
open a future chance at parole in another 
jurisdiction was something I could not pass up. 
So I accepted the AG’s proposal. There is no 
disunity here, just a tactical legal decision 
having been made. I could never be at peace with 
myself if I sat in a prison cell for the rest of 
my days knowing that I rejected a proposal that 
left open possible freedom one day. You expect me 
to think and act responsibly and to make 
responsible decisions. I expect no less of myself or of you.

I am so proud of you and all the work you’ve done 
in our behalf and in waking our movement from its 
lethargy­proud of your speaking, proud of your 
fund-raising, proud of your organizing (the Labor 
Council, the City Supervisors, the Caravan to 
Sacramento­such a sweet piece of “main stream” 
organizing, and the tribute to Panther women). So 
very proud that you were in court to smile your 
greetings whenever we appeared; proud that you 
made bail for those of us who could bail-out, and 
that you routinely visited those of us who could 
not. I shall miss your frequent visits, so how 
could I not go forward in this without a heavy 
heart. I do so thanking you for being true to 
yourselves and thanking you for the love and 
righteous support you gave and are giving the SF8.

I love you all.

Herman.


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