Judge rejects American Indian's appeal

AP ^ | 7/26/5 | DAVE KOLPACK

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FARGO, N.D. - A judge has rejected an appeal by imprisoned American Indian activist Leonard Peltier, who argued the U.S. government had no right to try him for crimes that occurred on a South Dakota reservation.

Peltier, 60, is serving a life sentence for killing two FBI agents during a 1975 standoff on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He was convicted in 1977 and has filed numerous appeals.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson ruled that the government has the right to prosecute and imprison anyone who kills federal agents, no matter where the crimes occur.

The Pine Ridge shootout left three people dead amid battles between federal agents and the American Indian Movement in the 1970s.

FBI agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler were shot in the head at point-blank range. Also killed was AIM member Joseph Stuntz. The Justice Department concluded that an FBI sniper killed Stuntz.

Peltier has claimed the FBI framed him, which the agency denies.

Peltier's lawyer, Barry Bachrach, argued in the appeal of Peltier's life prison term that federal courts had no jurisdiction over Indian land and Williams and Coler were killed on a reservation.

Peltier, who suffers from diabetes and other ailments, spoke briefly by speakerphone at Wednesday's hearing. He complained that the government has changed its story about his role in the killings.

Government prosecutor Drew Wrigley said he expects more appeals from Peltier.

"We're going to continue to fight the baseless claims to turn back the conviction that was a just one," he said.

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