Yesterday was a big news day for the ages, but we shouldn’t let outgoing President Biden’s commutation of the sentence for Leonard Peltier escape our attention. Instead of spending the rest of his life in prison, Peltier, now 80, will spend the rest of his days in home detention.
On June 26, 1975, FBI Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were murdered by Leonard Peltier at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
In 1977, Peltier was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison. He has since made numerous appeals for parole or a commutation of his sentence.
“Over the last 45 years,” said Director Wray in a letter opposing Peltier’s 2024 parole request, “no fewer than 22 federal judges have evaluated the evidence and considered Peltier’s legal arguments. Each has reached the same conclusion: Peltier’s claims are meritless, and his convictions and sentence must stand.”
The FBI Agents Association represents more than 14,000 current and retired special agents. Natalie Bara, president of the group, issued a statement yesterday afternoon:
“The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) is outraged by then-0President Biden’s decision to commute the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a convicted cop killer responsible for the brutal murders of FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams. This last-second, disgraceful act by then-President Biden, which does not change Peltier’s guilt but does release him from prison, is cowardly and lacks accountability. It is a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen Agents and is a slap in the face of law enforcement.
Agents Coler and Williams gave their lives in service to this nation, and their families continue to bear the heavy burden of that sacrifice. The loss of these heroes is felt as deeply today within the FBI family as it was in 1975. Leonard Peltier has never expressed remorse for his actions. Special Agents Coler and Williams were stolen from their families, robbed of the chance to share precious time and milestones with their loved ones. Leonard Peltier should not have been granted a mercy he so cruelly denied to the Coler and Williams families.
The profound sacrifice made by Agents Coler and Williams should be honored, not diminished. FBIAA remains steadfast in our commitment to preserving their legacies, and we look forward to working with new leadership in Washington to protect the public, honor our heroes and leave cop killers where they belong — in prison.”