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Ruchell Magee

Ruchell Cinque Magee is the longest held political prisoner in the U.S., having been locked up since 1963.  Politicized in prison, he later participated in the Marin County Courthouse Rebellion and has worked tirelessly as a jailhouse lawyer since his imprisonment.

Documents

Ruchell Magee Case Ruchell Magee Case
Date: 8/2/1972Call Number: PM 012Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln BergmanProgram: KPFA News interviewCollection: Ruchell Magee
Interview by Lincoln Bergman with Sandy Close, then working on Ruchell Magee case, describes his effort to defend himself, disqualify Judge Colvin, and general legal issues. Sandy reads a statement by Ruchell on right of self defense possible highlight piece. Intermittent squeaks.
Ruchell Magee & Fleeta Drumgo case Ruchell Magee & Fleeta Drumgo case
Date: 3/10/1973Call Number: PM 016Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Mark SchwartzProgram: Real DragonCollection: Ruchell Magee
Mark Schwartz on Magee/ Drumgo legal decision.
Ruchell Magee Case Ruchell Magee Case
Call Number: PM 017Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln BergmanProgram: interview for airCollection: Ruchell Magee
Lincoln Bergman interview with Sandy Close, detailed discussion of early part of case.
Ruchell Magee Ruchell Magee
Date: 8/18/1971Call Number: PM 075Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Dave StevensCollection: Ruchell Magee
Prison interview with Ruchell Magee 3 days before assassination of George Jackson conducted by Dave Stevens of KPFK-Los Angeles. Discusses his original case and appeals. Then goes to what happened on the day of the Marin County courthouse rebellion but he mostly declines to comment. Speaks on why his and Angela’s case were separated, on being his own attorney. His case to Reagan for a pardon (Ruchell Magee vs. Ronald Reagan.) Good quote re Panthers on UNITY. More on Angela--need unity not “stars,” but the gun---Mention of Nixon and Vietnam. “No pleasure in San Quentin.” What would you do if you were on the outside? (organize, bring people in to show them the real conditions). When did you first begin to feel like a “slave?” Talks about his early background. Discusses 1963 conviction briefly 19:04 "These dogs have kept me in prison all this time… these dogs have one leg to stand on, racism." 22:27 "Those appointed by the court are shysters and buzzards, they work for the state." (Referring to the attorneys) 28:10 "I file a case and it sits in a drawer for 3 or 4 years." 29:30 "We (Black people) are going thorough hell, it's time to unite, no time to fight one-and-other." 31:24 "That's the pigs, they use confusion to divide us." 34:35 "The contradictions, the dogs are compelling people to pick up guns." 35:10 "There is no pleasure in prison." 36:10 "As soon as they let one go, here go another one, it's how prison is designed, tap dancing and actin' the fool won't help if you on the list to do some time it don't matter." "What I would do on the outside is organize the people." 42:25"You don't put no MF? Fool as a king." 42:55 "It's me today, it's you tomorrow." 48:00 "the government will destroy the people and itself too." 49:40 "I would help the Viet Cong fight."
The Case of Ruchell Magee The Case of Ruchell Magee
Date: 7/26/1972Call Number: PM 144Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Lincoln Bergman, Sandy CloseCollection: Ruchell Magee
Lincoln Bergman & Sandy Close, who have been covering the Ruchell Magee case, discuss the progress of the case and the legal and political viewpoint of Ruchell Magee. recorded 7/20/72 with an update from 7/26/72
Paul Cook, Ruchell Magee, And Justice In America Paul Cook, Ruchell Magee, And Justice In America
Date: 6/4/1971Call Number: PM 154Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Carolyn CravenCollection: Ruchell Magee
Paul Cook is interviewed by Carolyn Craven. Cook is a former cellmate of Ruchell Magee, who is at the time of the interview on trial with Angela Davis in connection with the escape attempt and shootout at the Marin Civic Center in August, 1970. Cook discusses his relationship with Ruchell Magee and his role as a member of his Defense Committee. He begins the interview by describing his being approached by police agents wanting him to testify against Ruchell Magee under threat on June 3, 1971. Topics addressed include the difficulty of organizing Magee’s defense, and the frustration working within the legal system. The growth of the California Prison Industry is analyzed, as are the conditions of prison life and their impact on prisoners’ families . He discusses George and Jonathan Jackson, Larry West and Ruchell Magee. 2:10 …While they were considering bail for Angela I was there 'cause I didn't want them to forget about Ruchell. 42:50 & 49:10 Jonathan and George Jackson
Ruchell Magee Ruchell Magee
Producers: Mark SchwartzCollection: Ruchell Magee
Ruchell Magee, sole survivor of the Marin Couthouse rebellion. he based his defense on the right to rebel, from the court decision on the Amistad slave ship, since made famous by the Spielberg film. Ruchell Magee remains in prison. This excerpt is from many prison related reports by Mark Schwartz.
Ruchell Magee Ruchell Magee
Author: Red RockPublisher: TribeFormat: MonographCollection: Ruchell Magee
Wake Up Opressed Peoples (Open Address to the President) Wake Up Opressed Peoples (Open Address to the President)
Author: Ruchell MageeDate: 1/24/1972Volume Number: January 24Format: MonographCollection: Ruchell Magee