A New Jersey court has paroled the oldest former member of the Black Panthers after nearly five decades in prison.
Sundiata Acoli, 85, was sentenced to life in 1974 for the murder of a police officer the year before.
The Black Panthers, formed in 1966, were a revolutionary black nationalist and socialist group that advocated armed selfdefense, particularly against the police.
The shooting that led to Acoli’s arrest followed a routine traffic stop on a New Jersey freeway. The ensuing firefight left one soldier, Werner Foerster, dead and another wounded.
At the time, Acoli was with Assata and Malik Shakur, two members of the Black Liberation Army, the Black Panthers’ armed wing. He was arrested next to Assata Shakur after a police chase.
Acoli has long claimed he lost consciousness after being hit in the crossfire and woke up with Foerster’s corpse by his side.
After repeatedly being denied parole since gaining the right to the benefit 29 years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court has now voted three to two to overturn a parole board decision.
In a written statement on Acoli’s case, court judges said his behavior in prison was “exemplary” and that he completed 120 programs behind bars.
In 2010, a stateappointed psychologist noted that Acoli “appeared regretfully” and had expressed “deep regret” for his role in Foerster’s death.
The psychologist’s comments were echoed by Acoli at a parole hearing six years later.
“I deeply regret the actions that have taken place,” he said. “These were turbulent and scary times.”
But the parole board has repeatedly denied his attempts to receive the benefit, arguing he could still pose a threat to the public.
But according to New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry T. Albin, the council’s views “were not supported by substantial credible evidence.”
One of those who has opposed Acoli’s release is New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who said in a statement that anyone who kills a police officer “must stay behind bars for the rest of their lives.”
At least 12 elderly members of the Black Panthers remain incarcerated in the United States.
The member he was arrested with, Assata Shakur formerly known as JoAnne Chesimard has been on the run since a 1977 prison break.
She is believed to be in Cuba and remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted List.
To this day, she is considered a heroine by many leftwing US activists.