New Trial Denied Black Panther
A federal magistrate today refused to order a new trial for former Black Panther Party leader Elmer (Geronimo) Pratt, who was convicted of robbing and murdering a Santa Monica teacher in 1968.
Pratt’s attorney, Stuart Hanlon, said he will appeal the denial to a federal judge within 10 days. Pratt’s bid for a new trial is based on the disclosure--made after Pratt’s trial--that the primary witness against him was an FBI informant, Hanlon said. Pratt has been imprisoned at San Quentin since his conviction.
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