New Haven Black Panther trials

New Haven Black Panther trials

Part of Black Power movement
Courtroom sketch of the murder trial in 1971.
Date	1970-71
Location	New Haven, Connecticut
Cause	Kidnapping and murder of Alex Rackley
Outcome	Reactions Popularization of trials Unrest in New Haven Popular distrust of the FBI Rulings Lonnie McLucas convicted of conspiracy to commit murder Warren Kimbro and George W. Sams Jr. convicted of murder Bobby Seale and Ericka Huggins: all charges dismissed after hung jury

In 1969-1971 there was a series of criminal prosecutions in New Haven, Connecticut, against various members and associates of the Black Panther Party.^[1] The charges ranged from criminal conspiracy to first-degree murder. All charges stemmed from the murder of 19-year-old Alex Rackley in the early hours of May 21, 1969. The trials became a rallying-point for the American Left, and marked a decline in public support, even among the black community, for the Black Panther Party.