Khalfani Khaldun Justice Update id OAA17475; Wed, 1 Oct 1997 14:59:56 -0400 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source: jonathon@iww.org Tue, 30 Sep 1997 13:39:39 -0700 (PDT) the following is the latest message i have received from Khalfani Khaldun. a little background (very little): basically Khalfani would be out of prison very quickly if it wasn't for the murder charges against him, which a very obvious frameup in retaliation for the prison organizing he has done, most of which has consisted of organizing workshops on black history, self esteem for black men and so on. prett dangerous stuff. the authorities consider to him to be a gang leader because of this work. he is charged with the murder of a prison guard who was killed in retaliation for the execution of a black inmate in Indiana who was also innocent of the charges against him (shooting a cop). Khakfani now has affidavits from all those who the state originally pressured into lying to get him convicted of this murder, so they have no case. Khalfani's family has long been the backbone of his support in prison, so with his mother gone and two brothers as well it is very important for all of us to do all we can to help him get out now!!! this means getting the charges dropped against him, which should not be that hard if we can bring more public attention to his case. as i said, they have no case against him. i am in regular communication with a few inmates in Indiana, where the struggle for justice behind the walls has been growing steadily the last few years. i plan to send out updates about Khalfani and these other prisoners as often as i get them to this list of people. i compiled this list from several other sources, so if you don't want to receive these messages please e-mail me (jonathon@iww.org) and i will take you off the list. also, if you know anyone else who wants to be included, have them contact me. i will also be sending out written versions of some of the updates, so if you know someone with no email account who would like to receive the info, have them write salt lake prisoner support project p.o. box 11015 slc, ut 84147, or leave a message at 801-535-1852 with their name and address. it would also help if anyone wanting this info through the mail could send a few dollars to help cover postage etc. Casualties of Kolonial Oppression: Khalfani Khaldun In a control unit in Indiana's Pendleton Correctional Facility. The State of Indiana and all her police, investigators, and prosecutors have failed in all attempts to bring the murder charges against Khalfani X. Khaldun to trial for a verdict of guilt or innocence. Khalfani X. Khaldun, 27, has challenged the State and this case at every level, but he really needs the people to step forward and demand his vindication immediately. Confined to a control unit cell 23 hours a day, Khalfani received news on 6/17/97 that his baby brother Benjamin was killed. The next day Khalfani requested to go to the funeral and was denied. Jack Duckworth, the Superintendent, claimed he denied the request because Khalfani had a history of violence, yet Khalfani hasn't been found guilty of anything since entering prison more than ten years ago. Shortly after Khalfani's brother was buried he received a family visit from his son, sisters and his mother, Sonora McQuay. The death of of Khalfani's brother took a heavy toll on his mother's health. Sonora McQuay was placed in the hospital 2 months after her son's death. After a series of tests it was discovered she had a grapefruit sized tumor on her pelvis. She spent at least 3 weeks in the hospital letting the doctor and medical staff attempt to shrink her tumor with radiation. This treatment ravished her body and she was weak from not eating. Her body began to shut down. On August 20, 1997, Khalfani spoke to his mother and told her he needed her to make it through this and live. She told him to be strong and not lose his cool, she needed him home. She said she had a lot to live for and sounded strong. On September 1, 1997, Khalfani's other brother, his oldest an last brother, was shot in the head shortly after leaving his mother's hospital bedside. While the family was there comforting Sonora, John D. McQuay was wheeled in on a stretcher with head wounds. Khalfani's sisters Elnora, Janet, Sholonda and Monique were immediately told their brother John was in emergency. He was pronounced dead at 10:15, 9/1/97. The family had to tell Sonora, who was barely alive herself, of yet another death, her oldest son John. She was told shortly after he was pronounced dead. Soon as she was told her body immediately began to respond. First her kidneys failed, then her other major organs, which sent her into a coma. Khalfani called home Saturday morning, September 6, and was told his mother had died. Losing 3 members of his family has changed the course of Khalfani's life forever. Being confined to a prison cell, surrounded by misery and racist evil he has been totally devastated. State Retaliates Against Khalfani Due to the closeness of these tragedies the funerals of Sonora McQuay an John McQuay were held together. Khalfani and family members tried to get the state to allow him to go say his goodbyes to his brother an mother, his soul's inspiration - but again they said he has a history of violence. His brother and mother were buried together on 9/10/97. Khalfani fasted the whole day and didn't talk or come out of the cell he's confined to. He wanted this time to feel close to his mother and brother before they were laid to rest. The prison authorities had knowledge of both deaths, but never told Khalfani anything. He found out by calling home. Khalfani has a sister named Iawanna McQuay who is incarcerated at the Indiana Womens Prison who also was denied permission to attend her mother and brother's funeral. Iawanna and her Sonora had not seen each other for 7 years and their relationship was not great. Yet she had a chance to see her one last time. Cancer and Kolonial Oppression has devastated Afrikan colonies, communities and people. These recent unfortunate realities are just that, Kolonial realities of the many faces of repression. Sonora McQuay and her sons will be terribly missed. The fight for Khalfani's life must continue, but it must take on a new shape and character. WE must begin to step forward and address some legitimate demands. What We Need From The People We need phone calls/letters sent to the following people about Khalfani's case. These are the questions that should be asked. 1) When three of Khalfani's loved ones were killed, why was he not allowed to attend the funeral? 2) The murder case against Khalfani (also known to them as Leonard McQuay) has still not been taken to trial. He has been waiting since 1994. Why hasn't this case been dismissed? 3) Khalfani has been denied access to the prison's General Population because of these charges, yet he has not been convicted. Demand an immediate release to General Population. 4) Demand that the State update the people through a national press release why this case hasn't been taken to trial. 5) Advise all state officials that the eyes of the world are watching tham an will expose the tactics and evil that has governed this entire case. 6) Demand that Atley Price (the attorney representing Khalfani) step up and demand that the State proceed or dismiss this entire case. 7) Demand that Judge William T. Meens order a dismissal for lack of evidence and delaying the case so long. Also ask that Judge Meens issue an order that the Department of Corrections release Khalfani from their custody. Khalfani's Defense Attorney Atley C Price phone (219) 872-2100 126 W Fourth St., P.O. Box 1006 Michigan City, IN 46361-8206 Prosecuting Attorney John F. Lake phone (219) 326-6808, (219) 873-7014 fax (219) 324-9344 Courthouse Square, 5th floor Laporte, IN 46350 also: John F. Lake 902 Pine Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 Judge William T. Meens St Joseph Superior Court, 101 S Main St, Southbend, IN 46601 phone: (219) 284-9644 case no: 71D01-9508-CF-00385 Khalfani can be reached at: Khalfani X Khaldun #874304 (Leonard McQuay) P.O. Box 30, Pendleton, IN 46064 ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytrc-10.01.97-15:00:02-11502