Category: Prison
‘Don’t Forget Us’: Forest Defenders Confront Horrors of Life in DeKalb County Jail
Monica had been locked up in Dekalb County Jail for five days when guards entered her pod and called out her name. She was being released.
Like always, the other women in the pod started clapping and cheering, happy to see anyone freed. Monica got…
Palestinian Khader Adnan Dies on Hunger Strike in Israeli Prison
Magen-Nitzan Prison, Ramla, Israel — On his 87th day of hunger strike protesting administrative detention, Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, 45, was found unresponsive in Israel’s Magen-Nitzan Prison.
Later the same day — May 2, 2023 — political leaders, released prisoners, family members and prisoner’s rights…
Judge Rejects White Vigilante’s Defense Motions Against Black Foreman, Sets Sentencing Date
Saint Paul, MN — Chief Judge Leonardo Castro denied defense attorney Earl Gray’s motions for acquittal and a new trial for convicted murderer Brian Kjellberg in a short Schwartz hearing on May 17. After appeasing the defense with the hearing over Gray calling the Black…
🦄 Prison
Rally Demands Marvin Haynes’ Release from 19 Years Wrongful Imprisonment
Minneapolis, MN – Since May 19, 2004, Marvin Haynes has been imprisoned for a Minneapolis murder despite no physical evidence and his claims of innocence. Haynes was only 16 when he was locked up. Now a grown man of 35-years-old, Haynes, his family and advocates…
Defense Attorney Earl Gray Says Black Foreman is ‘Racist’ After Guilty Verdict, Judge Grants New Hearing
Saint Paul, MN — In a motion hearing seeking a new trial for convicted murderer Brian Kjellberg, defense attorney Earl Gray called the Black foreman of the jury “racist” and was granted a Schwartz hearing by Ramsey County Judge Leonardo Castro. In late March, Kjellberg…
Three Face Felonies for Allegedly Flyering Near Home of One Georgia Trooper Tied to Killing of Forest Defender
Bartow County, GA — More than 3 ½ months after Georgia State Patrol agents killed forest defender Manuel ‘Tortuguita’ Esteban Paez Terán during a raid on the Weelaunee Forest, officials still refuse to name the officers responsible for their death or take any steps toward…
One Granted Bond, Two Denied Pretrial Release: Forest Defenders Appear for Preliminary Hearings
DeKalb County, GA — Two defendants arrested in March during a music festival against ‘Cop City’ were again denied bond Wednesday in DeKalb County Magistrate Court, while a third was granted $25,000 bond with conditions. The defendants, all of whom are facing domestic terrorism charges…
Fourth Killer of George Floyd Found Guilty
Minneapolis, MN — Almost a full three years after Minneapolis Police killed George Floyd, the final court case of the four officers involved is nearing an end after Tou Thao was found guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Thao remains in custody and faces…
Guilty Verdict in Saint Paul Murder Trial of White Vigilante Not Enough, Says Victim’s Family
Saint Paul, MN — On March 30, 2023, Brian Kjellberg was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder without intent for killing Arnell ‘AJ’ Stewart over a parking space near Kjellberg’s residence. But even before evidence shown in the trial indicated a racial motive,…
The Case of Marvin Haynes – Part Four: The Trials of Marvin Haynes
Hennepin County District Court, Minneapolis, Minnesota. September 2, 2005. The trial of Marvin Haynes began 12 days ago, just 15 ½ months after the murder of Randy Sherer at Jerry’s Flower Shop on the Northside of Minneapolis. Haynes, now 17, sits at the defense table…
Killer Cop Kim Potter Hurriedly Released After 16 Months in Prison
Shakopee, MN — After serving sixteen months in Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee for fatally shooting unarmed 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop, former Brooklyn Center veteran police officer Kim Potter was released at 4:00 a.m. Monday morning.
Potter was convicted of first and second degree…
Marvin Haynes’ Family and Supporters Demand His Release from Prison
Minneapolis, MN — “We are asking for his immediate release!” Cynthia Haynes demanded passionately, calling for her brother’s release from prison while holding two signs – one read “Free Marvin Haynes Now,” the other, “Justice 4 Marvin Haynes.” As the case of Marvin Haynes starts…
Administrative Detention and ‘Medical Neglect’ in Israeli Prisons Lead to Deaths and Protests
Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine — Around 4,700 Palestinians are jailed in dire conditions in Israeli prisons with at least 866 of those prisoners being held indefinitely on ‘administrative detention’ without charges, trial or release date. Deaths inside Israeli prisons since 1967 have risen to 235,…
Eight Remain in Jail from March 5 Weelaunee Forest Raid, 15 Released
Atlanta, GA — Fifteen of the twenty-three people arrested and charged with domestic terrorism on March 5 are now out of jail. The nearly two dozen people were arrested during the South River Music Festival for their alleged involvement in the ongoing effort to stop…
The Case of Marvin Haynes – Part Three: The Framing of Marvin Haynes
Minneapolis, MN – When Officers Rollins and Smelter pulled up in front of Jerry’s Flower Shop on Sunday morning, May 16, 2004, they saw a woman run out the front door. She was screaming.
She told the officers that her brother was inside and that…
The Case of Marvin Haynes – Part Two: The Murder of Randy Sherer
The story of Marvin Haynes is also the story of Harry Sherer — a 55-year-old man who lived a few blocks from his family’s flower shop who everyone called by his nickname, Randy. Most days, Randy walked to the shop to sit and talk to…
Family of AJ Stewart Speak on Patterns of White Supremacy That Led to His Killing Over a Parking Spot
Saint Paul, MN – The trial of Brian Kjellberg, who was charged with 2nd degree murder for killing Arnell ‘AJ’ Stewart over a parking spot, begins late March. Unicorn Riot recently sat down with the Poet Laureate of San Francisco and cousin of Stewart, Tongo…
Jury Convicts Robert West for his Role in Dismembering Ricky Balsimo
Grand Marais, MN – For the grisly murder of Ricky Balsimo, Robert Thomas West was found guilty on Feb. 8, 2023, of Accomplice After the Fact to Felony Murder in the 2nd degree and aiding an offender in dismembering and disposing of Balsimo’s dead body…
Harris County Jail Crisis in Houston, Texas Kills Dozens
The Harris County Jail is the third-largest jail in the U.S. and the largest jail in Texas. Located in Houston, it also confines the most people with mental illness in the state. Despite its complicated history, the public is largely unaware of the myriad issues at the jail. This report covers how the massive backlog of felony cases and pretrial detention contribute to the deaths of dozens of detainees amid overcrowding, medical crises, and a lack of mental health services.
The Case of Marvin Haynes – Part One
Minneapolis, MN – The grainy surveillance camera footage shows a small interrogation room—fifteen-by-fifteen, white walls, short cut-pile dark carpet, circular table, and a blue swivel chair. A door on the far wall stands open to the hallways and cubicles beyond. The date in the corner…
NYE Misdemeanor Riot Charges Taken to Trial
Minneapolis, MN – Two years after being arrested during a New Year’s Eve noise demo and charged with misdemeanor riot, one person has taken her case to trial this week in which her supporters are calling on the broader community for court support. [UPDATE: Justina…
Prisoners in Greece: Hunger Strike as a Weapon
Responding to the Greek government’s continuous attack on prisoners’ rights, inmates have waged seven hunger strikes in prisons across Greece over the last three years — many of which have been successful.
According to the prisoners and their supporters, authorities target certain incarcerated people and…
‘You’re Important to Us!’: Tucson Rings in the New Year with Raucous Jail Protest
Tucson, AZ – Dwarfed by a four-story edifice of concrete and concertina wire, two boys passed a bullhorn back and forth between them, egging each other on and giggling at their game.
“Your lives matter!” one of them yelled at the rows of narrow windows…
Asking for Leonard Peltier’s Clemency, Senators Co-Sign Letter to Pres. Biden
Washington, D.C. – On Nov. 29, 2022, seven senators including Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) co-signed a letter to President Biden requesting the president grant clemency to political prisoner Leonard Peltier.
“We write to request that you grant clemency to Native American rights…