The Case of The Wrongful Conviction of Leonard Peltier - Part 3

📻 Episode #529
🎙️ Hosted by Jason Flom
📅 Jun 12, 2025

◆ EPISODE PROFILE

About This Episode

In part three of this three-part series, at Leonard’s trial in 1977 federal prosecutors changed the failed narrative from the Butler / Robideau trial, claiming that Leonard executed the agents with an AR15 that they claimed matched casings found near the bodies.

The Case

Bruce Ellison and Ron Kuby explain how false evidence was used to secure a conviction that survived our appellate system and 8 presidencies. But through it all, Leonard never gave up, and with the help of tribal advocate Holly Macarro, he was finally granted clemency in the final minutes of the Biden Administration.

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In Their Own Words — transcript excerpts

Short excerpts from the episode's official published transcript, with timestamps — listen from these moments, or read the full transcript via the podcast's own platforms.

00:04:39
“Speaker 2: been dropped the narrative became Leonard in his red and Speaker 2: white van. Anderson also said that he'd come running back Speaker 2: to the campground to grab a rifle and saw Leonard Speaker 2: with an AR fifteen. On cross examination, Mike Anderson admitted Speaker 2: that his charges relating to the exploding car in Wichita”

00:20:33
“Speaker 6: and so during oral argument the government said, look, we Speaker 6: may not be able to prove that in fact, it Speaker 6: was Peltier who fired the fatal bullets at close range. Speaker 5: He said, your honor, I want you to know the Speaker 5: government doesn't know who the shooter is nor what participation”

00:34:46
“Speaker 2: Leonard is finally out of prison, but he's still under Speaker 2: house arrest for the terms of his clemency. Speaker 1: Which come on house arrest after what we've heard here. Speaker 1: But at least Leonard is finally able to breathe free air, Speaker 1: see family and friends, and see a doctor outside of prison.”

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← #528 The Wrongful Conviction of Leonard Peltier - Part 2 #530 Ben Bowlin with Duane Williams →

Also on the podcast: #321 Barry Beach - Part 1 · #322 Barry Beach - Part 2 · #458 Alan Beaman - Part 1