Ongoing bail hearings for San Francisco 8
Published Aug 15, 2007 11:45 PM
Bail hearings concluded Aug. 8 for the first three members of the San
Francisco 8, eight former Black Panthers who have been dragged into court and
charged with the murder 35 years ago of a San Francisco policeman.
Picket line on Aug. 6 denounces racist persecution of San Francisco 8.
|
Judge Philip Moscone announced at the beginning of the hearings on Aug. 6 that
he would not rule on bail until all of the hearings were concluded. The judge
also refused to allow all eight defendants into the courtroom, despite strong
arguments from their attorneys that the men be present for all legal
proceedings.
On Aug. 6 before the first bail hearing, a large picket line formed outside the
courthouse comprised of family members, political prisoners’ rights
activists and community supporters organized by the Committee for the Defense
of Human Rights.
Herman Bell, Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Henry (Hank) Jones, Jalil Muntaqim,
Richard O’Neal, Harold Taylor and Francisco Torres are the community
activists who are charged with being part of a conspiracy allegedly between
1968 and 1973 that involved the killing of a police officer in 1971. Both Bell
and Muntaqim have been imprisoned as political prisoners in New York State for
more than 30 years.
The present case is based on “evidence” gained through the beating
and torture of three ex-Black Panther Party members that took place in a New
Orleans jail in 1973. However, all charges, including ones for the 1971 police
killing, were dismissed after judges learned about the physical coercion in New
Orleans. Two of the SF 8, Taylor and Boudreaux, were part of the original
case.
All of the men were involved in community activism and progressive political
work prior to their arrests on the conspiracy charges. Richard Mazer, Richard
Brown’s attorney, argued today that Brown should be immediately released
because of his strong community ties in this city and the serious medical issue
of his deteriorating vision. Brown has just been diagnosed with a kind of
glaucoma which could lead to blindness if not treated aggressively. Judge
Moscone also heard bail arguments for Boudreaux and O’Neal.
Bail hearings for other members of the SF 8 will continue next week beginning
on Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. in Department 23 at 850 Bryant Street. For more
information and to get involved in the fight to free the San Francisco 8, check
out www.freetheSF8.org.
—Report & photo by Judy
Greenspan
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email:
[email protected]
Subscribe
[email protected]
Support independent news
DONATE