Former President Biden has commuted the life sentence of Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975, against the recommendation of former FBI Director Christopher Wray, multiple news outlets have said. reported.
In a private letter obtained by TAssociated Press In other media outlets, Ray described Pelletier as a “relentless killer” and argued that “any relief from his conviction and sentence is completely unjust and an affront to the rule of law.”
Biden commuted to work. Pelletier was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, in the final hours of his term as president, and ordered to serve the remainder of his term on home confinement.
“He is now 80 years old, has serious health problems, and has spent most of his life (almost half a century) in prison,” the White House said in a statement, adding that he is a member of a tribal nation, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Others noted that considering Pelletier's “advanced age, illness, close ties to and leadership within the Native American community, and the considerable length of time he has already spent in prison.”
The commutation is different from a pardon, and the White House emphasized that Pelletier's crimes have not been forgiven.
Peltier was an activist with the American Indian Movement who was convicted of the 1975 murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. But activists have long criticized his trial and conviction as unfair. Although there were dozens of people at the scene of the shootout, only Pelletier and two other defendants (who were later acquitted) were charged.
Pope Francis, Amnesty International, the late Nelson Mandela and one of the federal prosecutors who participated in Pelletier's trial have all called for his release.
But Wray sent a letter to the White House on January 10 opposing the pardon. NPR reportedRay expressed his “hope” that “these letters are unnecessary and I hope you are not considering a pardon or a commutation of your sentence.” Wray was appointed by President Trump during his first term, but announced last month that he would resign ahead of Trump's apparent plans. Dismiss him after his second appointment.
Updated at 2:37 p.m. ET
