Huey P. Newton

Huey Percy Newton (February 17, 1942 – August 22, 1989) was co-founder and inspirational leader of the Black Panther Party, a militant African-American activist group.

Trial

Newton was accused of murdering Oakland police officer John Frey and in September 1968 Newton was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to two to 15 years in prison. In May 1970 the California Appellate Court reversed Newton's conviction and ordered a new trial. The State of California dropped its case against Newton after two subsequent mistrials.

Related Topics:
September - 1968 - May - 1970

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Newton's Autobiography, Revolutionary Suicide, was published in 1973.

Related Topics:
Revolutionary Suicide - 1973

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While he had been imprisoned, party membership had decreased significantly in several cities, and the FBI had been involved in a campaign to disrupt the Black Panthers (see COINTELPRO). Newton concentrated on community outreach programs and the Black Panthers sponsored a free breakfast program, sickle-cell disease tests, free food and shoes. Funding for several of their programs were raised as the result of the co-operation of drug dealers and prostitution rings. Bobby Seale later wrote about his knowledge of Newton?s involvement and attempted takeover of the Oakland drug trade. Seale admitted that Newton attempted to shake down pimps and drug dealers, and as a result a contract was taken out on Newton?s life.

Related Topics:
FBI - COINTELPRO - Sickle-cell disease

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In 1971, between his trials for the murder of John Frey, he visited China for ten days, where he met with Premier Chou En-lai and Chiang Ch'ing, the wife of Chairman Mao Tse-tung. While there he was offered political asylum.

Related Topics:
1971 - China - Chou En-lai - Chiang Ch'ing - Mao Tse-tung

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In 1974 several charges were filed against him, and he was also accused of murdering a 10-year-old prostitute, Kathleen Smith. Newton failed to make his court appearance. His bail was revoked, a bench warrant issued, and his name added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list. Newton had jumped bail and escaped to Cuba, where he spent three years in exile. He returned home in 1977 to face murder charges because, he said, the climate in the United States had changed and he believed he could get a fair trial. He was acquitted of the murder of Kathleen Smith after two trials were deadlocked.

Related Topics:
1974 - Cuba - 1977

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