Former Black Panther Ed Poindexter, Maintaining Innocence in 1970 Bombing, Dies in Prison

Poindexter's death prompts investigation, as advocates reveal he suffered from advanced kidney disease and Parkinson's disease.

Ed Poindexter, a former Black Panther who maintained his innocence in the 1970 bombing death of Omaha police officer Larry Minard, has died in prison at the age of 79.
Poindexter and his co-conspirator David Rice, who died in 2016, argued they were targeted by an FBI program that undermined radical political groups because of their membership in the Black Panthers.
They questioned the legitimacy of crucial testimony that helped convict them, including a phone call recording that appeared to have been made by an adult man, even though a teen testified he made the call.
Despite doubts raised about the recording and numerous appeals, their life sentences were upheld by various judges and the Nebraska Pardons Board refused to commute their sentences.
Poindexter's death will be investigated by a grand jury as required by state law, and it was reported that he had been treated for an unnamed medical condition before his death, with advocates claiming he had advanced kidney disease and Parkinson's disease.