Leonard Peltier Released After Nearly 50 Years in Prison

The Native American activist, convicted in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents, will serve the remainder of his life sentences under home confinement following a commutation by former President Joe Biden.

Leonard Peltier, 80, walked out of a Florida federal prison on Tuesday after his life sentences were commuted by Joe Biden in the final hours of his presidency.
Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, has long maintained his innocence in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents during a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.
The case has drawn widespread criticism for alleged trial misconduct, including withheld evidence, coerced witness testimony, and claims of systemic bias against Native Americans.
Peltier's release to home confinement has been celebrated by Indigenous rights advocates and human rights groups, though it has faced strong opposition from law enforcement, including the FBI.
Supporters, including global figures like Nelson Mandela and Pope Francis, view his release as a step toward addressing historical injustices faced by Native Americans.