Leonard Peltier was convicted in 1975 for the murders of two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ronald Williams, on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. The case has been a source of controversy for decades, with Peltier, a prominent Native American activist, maintaining his innocence throughout. He claimed that he was wrongly convicted, and his case became a rallying point for advocates of Indigenous rights and supporters of criminal justice reform.
Peltier was sentenced to life in prison and spent nearly 50 years behind bars. In 1979, while serving his sentence, he escaped from federal prison, adding to the complexity of his case. The escape led to an additional five years being tacked onto his sentence. However, his supporters argue that the evidence against him was manipulated and falsified, with prosecutorial misconduct playing a key role in his conviction. Kevin Sharp, Peltier’s attorney, contended that if Peltier’s case were tried today, he would not be convicted.
Fast forward to January 2025, in a controversial last-minute move before leaving office, President Joe Biden granted commutation to Peltier, allowing him to serve his sentence under home confinement due to his health issues. This decision was met with significant backlash from law enforcement and others who viewed it as an unjust act. Former FBI Director Christopher Wray sent a letter to Biden warning against commuting Peltier’s sentence, calling him a remorseless killer who executed the two FBI agents during a shootout on the reservation. Wray argued that Peltier’s actions after the murders—fleeing to Canada, engaging in a violent flight from justice, and participating in a violent prison escape in 1979—demonstrated his lack of remorse and a continued threat to public safety.
The FBI and its supporters, including Natalie Bara, president of the FBI Agents Association, vehemently opposed Biden’s decision. Bara described the commutation as a betrayal to the families of the fallen agents and a slap in the face to law enforcement. They believed that it undermined the principles of justice and accountability that the U.S. government should uphold.
Despite this, there has been a strong push from human rights groups, Tribal Nations, and several members of Congress to grant Peltier clemency. Amnesty International has long advocated for his release, citing human rights concerns related to the fairness of his trial. Amnesty and other supporters argue that the case against Peltier was riddled with constitutional violations and misconduct. In fact, James Reynolds, the former U.S. Attorney who prosecuted Peltier, has also called for his release, as has the judge who presided over his 1986 appeal, Gerald Heany.
The decision to commute Peltier’s sentence sparked a deep division in the U.S. The act came during the inauguration of President Donald Trump, and was issued alongside pardons for Biden’s family members, further intensifying the controversy surrounding it. Those in favor of clemency argue that the U.S. government has had a history of mistreatment of Native Americans, and Peltier’s case is a symbol of that ongoing struggle for justice. Supporters pointed out that his conviction was flawed from the start and that his release would help address historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
On the other side, critics argue that Biden’s commutation undermines the rule of law, and it will forever remain a contentious part of Peltier’s legacy. As of now, Peltier remains a divisive figure—viewed as a martyr by some and a criminal by others. The commutation may allow him to live out his remaining days in home confinement, but it does not erase the shadow of his conviction for the brutal killings of two FBI agents, a matter that continues to evoke strong emotions across the country.
