And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: While Peltier fought extradition from BC Canada...Peltier's co-indicted defendants Robideaux and Butler were being tried in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During the proceedings, the contradictory affidavits of Myrtle Poor Bear surfaced, as did a memo from the FBI to local law enforcement agencies accusing AIM of plotting ten violent crimes including the assassination of south Dakota Governor Richard Kneip. What became known as the "Dog Soldier" Memo, issued in May 1976 (FBI Memo, "Internal Security", #281785Z, May 1976) from FBI headquarters in Washington, claimed that "AIM members who kill for advancement in AIM objectives have been training since the Wounded Knee incident in 1973...these Dog Soldiers, approximately 2,000 in number...are undergoing guerilla warfare training experiences." The memo sent to FBI offices throughout the country accused AIM of plotting to blow up the state capital in Pierre, South Dakota; snipe at tourists; assault the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls Sou! ! ! th D akota; and pull off other violent guerrilla attacks. Perhaps in an effort to undermine the work of Senator Abourezk who had been seeking congressional review of FBI activities in South Dakota, the memo named his son Charles, as being, "involved with the Dog Soldiers." FBI Director Kelley, subpoenaed by the defense in Cedar Rapids, testified that there was no evidence upon which to base any of the accusations in the memo. The memo, used to stir up FBI and police sentiment against AIM, was a completely fabricated creation of the FBI. Trudell said of the Cedar Rapids trial:" We were able to show the jury that the FBI instigated a program to neutralize AIM. We were able to show the local media that the FBI version of the June 26 shoot-out was a lie. We developed a lot of support in Cedar Rapids. The judge wanted to hear the story, so we told him." The jury had no choice but to acquit Butler and Robideaux." The two denied shooting the agents, and testified that their actions on June 26 were solely in defense of the women and children who were fleeing the camp. They were acquitted on July 17, 1976. In the meantime, a post-conviction hearing in the Marshall case revealed the contradictory affidavits of Myrtle Poor Bear, and the involvement of Price and Woods in obtaining them. Medical records were also presented which showed that Poor Bear had a record of 105 recent clinical and hospital admissions for "bizarre behavior," "psychosis and depression," and other physical and mental anomalies. her father, Theodore Poor Bear, testified that she, "makes up stories and other things." Myrtle herself later testified that agents Price and Wood showed her photographs of the body of Anna Mae Aquash; she said they told her "if I didn't do what they said I'd be dead like Anna Mae Aquash...they kept reminding me I'd end up like Anna Mae." (Myrtle Poor Bear testimony before the Minnesota Citizens Review Commission, February, 1979; videotape by Karen Northcott.) She told reporter Jim Calio of People magazine that they threatened her and her daughter. She said, "I signed the papers without reading them; all I wanted was to go home. (People Magazine, April 20, 1981) With the affidavits of Poor Bear proven phony, the prosecution could not use her against Butler and Robideaux, nor could she be used to convict Means who was eventually acquitted on the charge of killing Montileaux. Dick Marshal, however, remained in prison, as did Peltier, awaiting the decision of Justice Schultz. On June 18, Schultz ruled that the US government had presented enough evidence to warrant Peltier's extradition. the extradition order would have to be executed by Canadian Justice Minister, Ron Basford; Peltier was held in solitary confinement at Okalla prison. On December 18, 1976, Basford signed the extradition order, and Peltier was delivered into the hands of the US authorities. In the meantime, charges against Jimmy Eagle had been dropped when it was proven that he had not been at the Jumping Bull complex in June 26, but had been at his grandmother's home in Pine ridge. Prosecutor Hurd had already supplied two witnesses - prisoners Melvin white Wing and Gregory Clifford - who were willing to testify against Butler, Robideaux, and Peltier, but that he refused Eagle himself said later that he was pressed to testify against Butler, Robideaux and Peltier, but that he refused. When charges against him were eventually dropped, Butler and Robideaux having been acquitted, Peltier became the last available suspect upon whom the FBI could pin the deaths of their agents. Peltier was held in Fargo, North Dakota, while awaiting trial. the victory in Cedar Rapids had given his defense committee confidence that they could win in Fargo. ! ! ! The Cedar Rapids trial had brought out evidence of FBI harassment of witnesses, tampering with evidence, brutality, perjury, infiltration of the defense, the COINTELPRO conspiracy, and the FBI "Dog Soldier" Memo against Am leaders, the awesome military assault on Pine Ridge on the day in question, and a general FBI obstruction of justice. What had originally been described by the FBI as an ambush on June 26, 1975, had been exposed as a violent diversion from the land deal that Dickie Wilson had signed with the Interior Department on that very day .......Judge Benson made sure all this evidence of FBi misconduct aired in the Cedar Rapids trial would not surface before his court which might tarnish the credibility of the prosecution or the FBI; he simply disallowed any evidence that had to do with the FBI, their tactics; previous misdeeds, or crimes such as the solicitation of false testimony. [exceprted from Rex Weyler, Blood of the land,The government and Corporate War Against the American Indian Movement] Why is this presented now? In light of the current controversy that swirls around Anna Mae...it is wise to study what has been utilized against the AIM in the past..as it reads like todays' news groups. So..just who is whispering in your ear Mr. Branscombe? who uses your desire for resolution in your cousin's death to his/her own ends? Truth...Price... The question is with the current investigation of FBI conduct in Waco...and the needed investigation of Pine Ridge events (including Anna Mae)..perhaps there is a supreme desire on the part of those muddying the waters to have us look away, to be lost in the controversy. Can think of a few other items that don't get the press needed. Black Mesa pending relocation, the current Gold Stake Mining Claims in the Black Hills (do a search on SD gov docs..it is there..but doesn't seem to make the press much..last time uranium..this time? gold?), the Black Hills Land belongs to the people, not the US government. The Mitigation Act which nabs more land from the reservations supported by BIA puppets...and last but definitely not least the very embarrassing FBI misconduct in Leonard Peltier's case. He should never have been incarcerated, let alone extradited. The title of the book is government and CORPORATE WAR...follow the money... This indictment of the US does not include those very sincere people investigating the death of Anna Mae...their very sincere desire to see justice done unfortunately can and perhaps is being used by others to create division..again. Ish
