Justice for Long Soldier

To:  All People

We, the undersigned, are asking for justice for Mr.Van Dyken Long Soldier. That his case be reopened and that he be given a fair trial.

Van Dyken Long Soldier is a Native American, an enrolled tribal member of the Oglala Sioux tribe, Pine Ridge , South Dakota. He was unjustly convicted of the 1984 shooting death of a Montana Sheriff’s deputy. We are asking that this case be reopened and thoroughly investigated, and that a new trial be granted.
Below some facts in a short version:

Strong evidence of excessive force used, and that Long Soldier acted in self defense, covered up by the State and never introduced.
Long Soldier was placed in ‘double jeopardy’. His first trial ended in a hung jury, with jurors deliberating between two lesser charges, yet he was retried for the maximum charges.
Long Soldier was forced to testify at his 2nd trial in order to present his defense and defense expert, contrary to all first trial rulings.
Forensic and ballistic evidence used was tainted. Long Soldier was shot 3 times. No independant investigations into bullet trajectories, gunshot residues, or pathological findings.
Mitigating evidence rejected. Long Soldier’s blood alcohol level at time of incident was .275, with .3 being legally ‘comatose’. No expert testimony about Native American drug / alcohol diseases, i.e., hereditary alcoholism, genetic intolerances of.
Constitutional Rights violations were admitted by Montana Supreme Court, United States District Court, and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, called ‘harmless error’. Yet these same Constitutional Rights violations are what convicted Long Soldier!
Sentenced to ‘Life without Parole’.
Judicial prejudice, misconduct, and conspiracy. Unconstitutional sentencing, (U.S. Supreme Court decision ‘Apprendi ‘2000).
Overwhelming prejudice due to nature of alledged crime and a Native American involved. Both trials moved (change of venue) due to prejudice and publicity. His own lawyers cut his braids while he was shackled.

This is not just a case about one man’s struggle against an unjust conviction, but a case that reflects a long history of political and judicial abuse against an entire race of people - the Native Americans, who have never had equal power / representation in social, economical, political, or judicial rights. Criminal prosecutions and procedures that do not reflect equal rights, and convictions that are used in an ongoing genocide of a race of people, the Native Americans.

We the undersigned are asking for justice, and that Long Soldier be given a fair trial by his peers and an unbiased judge.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Justice for Long Soldier Petition to All People was created by Long Soldier Defense Project and written by Karin Goelzer .  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. The petition scripts are created by Mike Wheeler at Artifice, Inc.  For Technical Support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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