- Geronimo Pratt
Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt (born
September 13 ,1947 ), also known as Geronimo ji-Jaga, is a former high ranking member of theBlack Panther Party . He was targeted by theFBI programCOINTELPRO , which aimed to "neutralize Pratt as an effective BPP functionary." [ [http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/doc156.gifLA 157-3436] , the partially redacted COINTELPRO file on Geronimo Pratt] Pratt was tried and convicted of the kidnap and murder of Caroline Olsen in 1972, and spent 27 years in prison, eight of which were insolitary confinement . Pratt was freed in 1997 when his conviction was vacated. He currently works as ahuman rights activist. Pratt is also notable as the godfather of the late rapperTupac Shakur .Early years
Pratt was raised in
Morgan City, Louisiana , where he witnessed lynchings and intimidation by groups such as theKu Klux Klan .He served two combat tours in the
Vietnam War and came toLos Angeles , using the GI Bill to go to UCLA. When Pratt joined the Black Panthers, his years in the army proved useful. He rose to be Minister of Defense of the organization.Murder charges
In 1968, Caroline Olsen, a 27-year-old elementary school teacher, was murdered by gunshot during a robbery on a
Santa Monica tennis court . Olsen's husband, Kenneth, who was also shot but survived, initially identified another man as the killer. Julio Butler, a Black Panther andpolice informant , fingered Geronimo Pratt as the killer. In 1970 Pratt was arrested and charged with murder andkidnapping .Prison
Pratt always maintained his innocence. During his incarceration he studied law and steadfastly built a defense. Pratt was represented by attorneys
Stuart Hanlon andJohnnie Cochran in his original trial. Together with William Paparian, Hanlon contributed much to the appeals that later led to Pratt's conviction being vacated.Murder conviction vacated
Pratt's conviction was vacated on June 10, 1997, on the grounds that the prosecution had not disclosed that a key witness against Pratt, Julio Butler, was an informant for both the FBI and the LAPD. [ [http://www.icdc.com/~paulwolf/cointelpro/law/inrepratt82CalRptr2d260.htm In re Pratt, 82 Cal ] ]
Later years
Pratt continues to work on behalf of men and women who are believed to be wrongfully incarcerated, in addition to his work with the Kuji Foundation Inc. He has participated in rallies in support of
Mumia Abu-Jamal , whom he had met when both were active as Black Panthers.References
Bibliography
*Olsen, Jack. (2000). "Last Man Standing: The Tragedy and Triumph of Geronimo Pratt". ISBN 0-38549-367-3
External links
* [http://www.kujifoundation.org Kuji Foundation Inc.]
* [http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/feb1999/prat-f18.shtml]Persondata
NAME=Pratt, Geronimo
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Ji-Jaga, Geronimo (chosen name)
SHORT DESCRIPTION=political activist
DATE OF BIRTH=13 September 1947
PLACE OF BIRTH=unknown
DATE OF DEATH=living
PLACE OF DEATH=none
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