TO: CENTER FOR WORLD INDIGENOUS STUDIES
FROM: EDDIE HATCHER DEFENSE COMMITTEE

20 May 1995

On May 3, 1995, I was granted parole by the NC Parole Commission. I am on strict conditions including House Arrest, not allowed to go out of the county, and not to return to Robeson County.

The Commission said they paroled me because I have AIDS. In February I was diagnosed with full blown AIDS. Other than being somewhat weak and nauseated most of the time I am doing fairly well.

I know had it not been for the continuous work of my Mother I never would have been released. Also, I know many of you out there wrote many letters on my behalf, faxes and made telephone calls, and I truly appreciate all you did.

After a few weeks of adjustment I plan to go full force on several issues that are important to me including Political Prisoners in the United States, Norma Jean Croy case, AIDS issues and corruption within government.

Hopefully, in a few months I will be receiving some type of government assistance but until then if anyone would care to help me with money for postage, printing and so forth please do so. I can be reached at 120 Amber Road, Hamlet, NC 28345 or 910-582-8113 (telephone and fax).

Eddie Hatcher

Tashunka Raven

From Thelma H. Clark.

Director of the Robeson Defense Committee and mother of Eddie Hatcher.

Before February 1, 1988, I had worked as a Registered nurse in Emergency Departments for 22 years. Within two months after the Takeover of the Robesonian Newspaper by my son, I experienced the most rude awakening that any human being, any citizen of the United States, could ever experience. I experienced what I had heard about in other countries where people are persecuted and condemned by the government without Due Process for speaking out against the government.

For the last three and one-half years. I have witnessed this government do things firsthand, that in all of my past 56 years I never knew could be done in this country. I and my other children have been kept under surveillance. Our telephones have been constantly interfered with and we must resort to pay telephones to prevent government agents from intercepting our conversations. We have been followed by unmarked cars so many times I can't count them. I have seen government agents threaten and intimidate people who came to our meetings. I have seen witnesses coerced by agents into lying, afraid of losing their jobs or their social security benefits. A book could not tell of all of the firsthand experiences that I have witnessed and been subjected to. When my son's bond was revoked for no cause and he was labeled a federal fugitive, I was laying flat on my back in a Durham, NC hospital having just had major back surgery; yet, my hospital room was flanked by federal agents and I was harassed. Our home has been shot at.

Now the government is continuing their campaign of persecution against my son and his family. With no just cause, Eddie is being denied any chance of Parole. Eddie has no prior felonies. He has served over five [5] Years. I ask you to please help us in this enormous struggle. Without the help of concerned, justice minded people we will continue to suffer at the hands of corrupt officials and the government.

If I have learned anything through this entire, ongoing ordeal, its one thing. What can be done to one can be done to another.

Thank you and please help us in this struggle.

INTRODUCTION

On February 1, 1988, Native American activist Eddie Hatcher and Timothy Jacobs occupied the offices of the Robesonian Newspaper, and held the building and 14 employees for 10 1/2 hours.

Eddie had worked continuously around the rights of minorities and poor, whites in Robeson County. Over just a few short years the county had been plagued by over 20 unsolved murders of minorities, most all killed execution style. The rural farming county had become deluged in cocaine, being called the little Miami of the East Coast. But only minorities were being charged with drug trafficking and killed.

After obtaining maps and documentation from a Federal Informer who had assisted the FBI and DEA in major drug convictions, Eddie possessed evidence that 34 major business people and law enforcement officers including Sheriff Hubert Stone were behind the major cocaine trafficking in the county and eastern North Carolina.

With this information and evidence Eddie made contact with the FBI, the DEA and Federal Customs. All refused to help. But in the process, after learning of the documentation Eddie Hatcher had, Sheriff Stone and State Bureau of Investigation Agents met and decided they would "have Eddie Hatcher before the week was out." (Federal Trial Transcript Witness Testimony)

So, instead of the government assisting Eddie, they conspired with local officials to kill Eddie Hatcher.

With no avenue or alternative remaining, Eddie Hatcher knew he had to put himself in a situation whereby the officials would not be able to dispose of him due to major attention. The result was the occupation of the Robesonian Newspaper.

Throughout the 10 1/2 hours, Eddie negotiated with the Governor of North Carolina and only made four demands. That the Sheriffs Department of Robeson County and the local judicial system be fully investigated; that the mysterious deaths of Indians and Blacks in Robeson County be fully investigated; that the recent death of a young African American in she local jail be fully investigated; and that Eddie Hatcher and Timothy Jacobs not be turned over to local authorities. Eddie made no demand for amnesty or any other personal thing. The Sheriff's Department and judicial system have still not been investigated after 3 1/2 years.

POLITICAL PRISONER

The United States government has been extremely outspoken on other countries that hold political prisoners and commit human rights violations. We hear U.S. leaders speak badly of other countries who jail and persecute individuals for their political action and the United States calls these prisoners "Political Prisoners."

Here in the United States, there are over 100 prisoners recognized as Political Prisoners by National Organizations and reputable leaders and religious groups. These prisoners however are not called Political Prisoners by the U.S. government who tries to paint a picture of freedom, Due Process and democracy.

Of these recognized Political Prisoners, one of the most notable is Indian Activist Eddie Hatcher, who has been the subject of extreme government persecution including a recent official orchestrated attempt on his life.

The people in North Carolina, with its rolling tobacco fields, beaches and Blue Ridge Mountains would probably not think or expect that this state could be known Internationally as a state which holds a Political Prisoner. But it is.

For the past two years Eddie Hatcher's case has been presented each year before the United Nations Human Rights Conference in Switzerland. Each time, the Delegation has voted in support of Eddie Hatcher and issued Declarations in support. The mainstream media never prints these things. It works hand in hand with the government to keep the eyes of its people blinded.

From Germany to Australia to Sweden to Canada, and countless other countries, groups and organizations speak out about the "case of Eddie Hatcher" and how "the United States does have Political Prisoners." People from all over the world ask how the United States government can condemn other countries yet hide their actions. The people of North Carolina and the U.S. are not told this.

Newspapers and magazines of other countries have regularly written stories of Eddie Hatcher and their readers ask questions about the hypocrisy of the U.S. government. They also compare how the things done to political activists in their country are similar to what has been done to Eddie Hatcher. Countries like the Soviet Union. But our media and our government continue to hide the facts.

Sometime ago, a reporter for the Raleigh News and Observer stated, "I'll deny this if you use my name but we have had several articles about Eddie Hatcher pulled by Lacy Thornburg. Thornburg is the Attorney General of North Carolina. So, our media is not free to print the truth as we are told.

It has now been almost four years since the takeover of the Robesonian and the political persecution against Eddie Hatcher and his family continues. The state of North Carolina is determined to keep Eddie in prison even though there is no legal basis for doing so. Each day the Department of Correction grants parole to prisoners who were sentenced to more lime than Eddie and have served less time than Eddie.

The Robeson Defense Committee has began a campaign that will reach areas all over the United States and the world to call for the immediate parole of Eddie Hatcher. So far, many national religious leaders and groups, organizations and individuals are recognizing the intent of North Carolina on holding Eddie Hatcher solely due to his political activity which continues from inside prison, and political reasons connected to his action and case.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

We have only skimmed the surface in this pamphlet in listing the chronology of the Eddie Hatcher case. But, we feel that it is enough, factual, documented evidence that any reasonably intelligent, justice minded individual can easily see that the mistreatment and incarceration of Eddie Hatcher is purely political. Every citizen of North Carolina and the United States of America should feel disgust and frustration that this government has subjected anyone to what Eddie Hatcher, his family, his attorneys and his supporters have been subjected to.

FEBRUARY 1, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher becomes the first American citizen charged under the Federal 1984 Anti-Terrorist Act. He is charged with committing oven acts against the United States; federal hostage taking; conspiracy to commit covert and overt acts against the United States of America; and weapons charges including the manufacturing of illegal weapons.

Eddie Hatcher is also charged by the state of North Carolina with kidnapping

FEBRUARY 2, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher is placed in maximum segregation at Butner Federal Prison. Authorities attempt to block any communication between him and his attorneys.

FEBRUARY 17, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher appears before Federal Magistrate Wallace Dixon and attorneys request that Eddie be released on bond. Judge Dixon states to over 300 supporters who have filled the courtroom that Eddie Hatcher is a terrorist and no better than the likes of Yasir Arafat or the PLO. After a lengthy hearing with countless community Leaders testifying on behalf of Eddie, bond is denied.

The press issues reports that Judge Dixon had held a private conversation with one of the hostages during the lunch recess of the bond hearing. Attorneys file motion for a new bond hearing.

FEBRUARY 19, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher appears again before Judge Dixon. The courtroom is full of community supporters calling for bond for Eddie. Community leaders testify as to the good character of Eddie. Bond is denied.

Eddie is transferred to Cumberland County Jail.

FEBRUARY 20, 1988:

Civil rights Attorney William Kunstler and Ron Kuby issue statement that they are new attorneys for Eddie Hatcher and will appeal bond decision. They associate with Robeson County Indian Attorney Horace Locklear.

MARCH 1, 1988:

State kidnapping charges against Eddie are dismissed by the state, in favor of the continuing federal prosecution.

APRIL 1988:

Attorney William Kunstler travels to the Soviet Union on behalf of fellow Native American Leonard Peltier and Eddie Hatcher. Kunstler discusses the case of Eddie Hatcher with Soviet officials and delivers a handwritten letter by Eddie which appears on the screens of televisions all across the Soviet Union and is reported in the U.S. media. The following day, Hatcher is snatched up by Federal agents and is taken to the Onslow County jail and placed in an isolation cell with no lighting, 180 miles from his home.

APRIL 19, 1988:

Eddie and his attorneys appear before Federal Judge Terrence Boyle asking for bond. Hundreds of Robeson County supporters and family members travel to the hearing by chartered bus to the New Bern, NC hearing. The government declares that, Codefendant has no community ties and should be denied bond." Bond is denied. The decision is appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

JUNE 28, 1988:

A three judge panel of the Fourth Circuit overturns the denial of bond and orders that conditions of bond be set forthwith.

JULY 5, 1988:

Before a full courtroom of supporters Eddie Hatcher is released on strict conditions. He must report in person twice a week; telephone a federal agent daily; 9pm curfew and cannot go to his home Robeson County but must reside in Forsyth County.

AUGUST 31, 1988:

After having been out on bond for almost two months and following all conditions set the Full Fourth Circuit in a 6- 5 decisions reversed the three judge panel and ordered Eddie Hatcher be jailed without bond. Eddie fled the state of NC declaring that he would return for his trial. He was declared a Federal Fugitive by the FBI and a reward was offered.

AUGUST 31, 1988-SEPTEMBER 18, 1988:

A nationwide manhunt for Hatcher allows hundreds of Federal agents to converge on the Indian Community of Robeson County where the agents harass follow and threaten the people of the community. This is done in hopes that it will destroy Eddie's support.

FEBRUARY-AUGUST, 1988:

During this time at least eight individuals who had provided information of corruption to Hatcher's attorneys were killed and their death remains unsolved.

SEPTEMBER 19, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher accompanied by his attorneys is apprehended by government agents before exiting a plane at Raleigh International Airport. Hatcher was returning to surrender for his trial scheduled to begin September 26, 1988. He is taken to Cumberland County Jail and placed in isolation.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1988:

The federal trial begins before Judge Boyle. Eddie's attorneys William Kunstler and Ron Kuby are in the middle of a trial in New York. Judge Boyle denies a request for a continuance and orders Eddie to represent himself.

SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 14, 1988:

The trial cakes place while Eddie Hatcher is without an attorney. For the first two weeks Eddie continuously stands and states that he has a Constitutional Right to counsel of his choice and he is being denied counsel. Eddie refuses to participate. Hostages testified that Eddie Hatcher never threatened them and they felt that he was not going to hurt them. The beginning of the third weeds Eddie he gins his oven defense and begins to call witnesses. Judge Boyle refuses to allow Eddie Hatcher to present his evidence and screens each question Eddie plans to ask a witness out of the presence of the jury. Eddie is limited to only a few questions per witness.

OCTOBER 13, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher delivers his closing argument before the jury. Also reading a closing argument prepared by attorney William Kunstler.

OCTOBER 14, 1988:

After only five hours of deliberation the jury of 12 intelligent people from different areas and both white and African Americans delivered a verdict of not guilty on all counts. Even after hearing only a small portion of the defense evidence the jury made a statement that Eddie Hatcher was justified in his act of desperation.

OCTOBER 24, 1988:

Eddie returns to Robeson County and begins work with the Robeson Defense Committee After several meetings among community leaders and supporters and attorneys with the Christic Institute South Eddie and the Robeson Defense Committee began a county-wide petition drive seeking the removal of Robeson County Sheriff Hubert Stone.

OCTOBER 24-DECEMBER 5, 1988:

The petition drive gains momentum throughout the community. The State Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement begin harassing and threatening supporters of the petition. Each week organized meetings are held in different areas of the county. Meetings are monitored by agents and car license tags are recorded by agents. Supporters are followed by the agents who appear at their place of employment and threaten and harass them telling them not to be associated with Eddie Hatcher or the petition drive. Eddie receives regular death threats and he and his family are kept under regular surveillance. The Robeson Defense Committee gathers over 1,000 signatures asking for the removal of Sheriff Stone.

DECEMBER 6, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher is reindicted on the same state kidnapping charges which were dismissed on March 1, 1988 arrested and placed in the Robeson County Jail.

DECEMBER 9, 1988:

Eddie is released on a $25,000 cash secure bond.

JANUARY 1989:

Eddie is granted Tribal protection on the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation in Fort Hall Idaho. After appearing before a Tribal Judge the state of North Carolina is informed of the extradition laws of the Tribal Court and how NC can request a full hearing before the Tribal Court The state of North Carolina refuses to request an extradition hearing and turns to the federal government which issues a federal warrant to avoid prosecution. The warrant is not served due to an extradition Treaty existing between the Shoshone-Bannock and the United States Government.

In late January a Shoshone-Bannock man was detained by FBI agents and interrogated. The FBI is attempting to learn the layout of the building in which Eddie is staying. The FBI initiates plans to kidnap Eddie, taking him off of the boundary of the reservation to be placed in the custody of the Idaho State government.

Eddie is transported to another state.

FEBRUARY 1989:

Attorneys file a major lawsuit against 20 Robeson County and state officials on behalf of Eddie Hatcher and the Robeson Defense Committee and supporters for violations of Constitutional guarantees.

MARCH 10, 1989:

Eddie Hatcher enters the Soviet Consulate in San Francisco, California and asks for political asylum. After almost four hours of negotiating between Eddie, his attorney William Kunstler and Soviet officials, the Soviet officials state that due to the International tension they cannot grant political asylum. Upon leaving the consulate, Eddie is taken into custody by federal agents.

MARCH 1989:

For more than three weeks, Eddie is held in Federal custody while U.S. Attorney John Bruce of North Carolina attempts to convince the U.S. Attorney General to transport Eddie back to NC and prosecute him on Interstate Flight. Only five persons have ever in the history of this law, been prosecuted on the charge. After three weeks Eddie is turned over to California officials and is represented by Black Panther attorney Charles Garry and John Phillipsborn.

JUNE 30, 1989:

After over three months of fighting extradition, and without even reading over 300 pages of evidence and affidavits of testimony, a California Judge orders extradition. The California Court of Appeals denies the stay. Eddie is extradited the same day and placed in the Robeson County jail.

JUNE 1989:

The attorney General of North Carolina asks the Federal Court to rule the lawsuit filed in February on behalf of Eddie Hatcher and the Robeson Defense Committee to be frivolous and without merit. With over 100 pages of affidavits, testimony and transcripts of telephone conversations between Robeson County officials conspiring to "get Eddie Hatcher," Federal Judge Howard rules the suit frivolous and fines the attorneys $122,000... The attorneys appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

JULY 1989:

NC Superior Court judge Dexter Brooks issues an Order that NY Attorneys William Kunstler and Ron Kuby are granted permission to represent Eddie Hatcher in association with the Public Defender Angus Thompson.

Sheriff Stone transfers Eddie to maximum lockup at Central Prison in Raleigh.

SEPTEMBER 5, 1989:

Eddie Hatcher is scheduled to appear before judge Craig B. Ellis in Courtroom #1 for arraignment. Eddie and his attorneys are moved to Courtroom #2, and a Raleigh, NC Superior Court Judge, Robert Farmer, without any legal authority over-rules the early decision of Judge Brooks and orders that Eddie will be represented only by the Public Defender. Judge Farmer orders all of the defense attorneys, including NC licensed attorney and law professor Barry Nakell, to leave the courtroom. Eddie tells the court that he will represent himself. That is denied by Judge Farmer.

Superior Court Judge Ellis never issues an order as to why he refused to hear the arrangement and never issues an order recusing himself.

OCTOBER 1989:

Eddie files a motion to represent himself.

NOVEMBER 7, 1989:

Eddie is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Stanback. Judge Stanback states in open court that he recuses himself and cannot hear anything relating to Eddie Hatcher. No reason is given.

NOVEMBER 14, 1989:

Eddie is brought to appear before a special judge assigned by NC Governor Jim Martin. Eddie is accompanied by NC attorney and law professor Barry Nakell who asks that he be allowed to represent Eddie. Judge I. Beverly Lake denies the request and refuses to hear anything from Professor Nakell. When Eddie attempted to speak, declaring that he would represent himself, Judge Lake refused to hear him. Professor Nakell attempted to be heard and Judge Lake found him in criminal contempt, and had him removed from the courtroom. Hatcher began loudly questioning Judge Lake and called him a "racist, segregationist, SOB." Judge Lake had Eddie Hatcher removed from the courtroom and ordered that he be bound and gagged.

JULY-FEBRUARY 13, 1990:

Eddie Hatcher, not only having had all of his attorneys removed by a state judge illegally, but endures consistent harassment and denial of any law library material or research for his own defense; and, with his family under constant threat, Eddies still held in maximum lockup at Central Prison, agrees to a sentence of 18 years.

FEBRUARY 14, 1990:

So, after more than two years of persecution and unconstitutional and illegal activity by the government against Eddie and his family and his attorneys, Eddie accepts an 18 year sentence on the same state kidnapping charges which had earlier been dismissed. Eddie is placed in general population in Central Prison.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals holds in favor of the government and holds that the lawsuit filed on behalf of Eddie Hatcher and the Robeson Defense Committee, is frivolous and without merit but orders that the amount of the fine be reviewed. Attorneys appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

MARCH 1990:

Eddie is ordered by the prison administration to work two eight hour shifts at his assigned job. State law holds that a prisoner can be made to work only 8 hours per day and no other prisoner is ordered to do this. But, Eddie Hatcher is ordered to work 16 hours per day, 7am until 11pm seven days per week.

APRIL 1990:

Prison officials heighten the amount of harassment against Eddie Hatcher.

APRIL 30, 1990:

A prisoner who is known among prisoners as an instrument of the Administration and in the past year had been involved in four incidents which resulted in the other party receiving 12 to 18 months lock-up, frames an incident with Hatcher and Hatcher is placed on maximum custody lock-up.

DECEMBER 1990:

Eddie is transferred to Southern Correction Prison where the harassment mounts. He is denied his ulcer medication and adequate medical treatment.

JANUARY 1991:

The Robeson Defense Committee agrees to begin a newsletter to expose the corruption and discrimination existing in the state prison system. Without any communication or notice to the DOC administration the DOC administration sends a letter to Thelma Clark at the Robeson Defense Committee and attempts to intimidate and threaten her into shelving the project, "North Carolina Prison News".

FEBRUARY 1991:

Two correctional officers who had made many attempts to provoke Eddie stated to a fellow prisoner that "Hatcher is causing other prisoners to be searched cause he is reporting to us" about the actions of other prisoners. The prisoner gives Eddie Hatcher a sworn statement and supporters contact prison officials by letters and phone calls and also contact Governor Martin expressing their fear that Eddie is being set up to be Cued. Prison officials and the Governor refuse to assist.

Correctional officers attempt to place false write-ups in the prison record of Eddie Hatcher. Again top prison officials the Secretary of Correction and Governor are contacted by the Robeson Defense Committee and supporters and made aware of this but fail to assist.

JUNE 1991:

Through more documentation and sworn affidavits the Robeson Defense Committee learns that prison officials are again attempting to turn other prisoners against Eddie Hatcher and the Secretary of Correction the Governor's office are made aware of the latest episode

SEPTEMBER 18, 1991: A prisoner who had never had any association with Eddie Hatcher attacks Eddie and seriously stabs him four times with an eleven inch icepick. Eddie suffers a punctured lung and remains hospitalized with tubes inserted in his lung in serious condition.

OCTOBER 8, 1991:

The prisoner who stabbed Eddie writes the NC State Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh News and Observer stating that he had been contracted by certain prison officials who ordered him to "take care of Hatcher." In payment the Prisoner was promised custody promotion and other privileges which had not been fulfilled Prisoner stated that he was not going to be the "Fall Guy".

OCTOBER 23, 1991:

Eddie's mother Thelma Clark and sister met with Governor Jim Martin and Secretary of Correction Aaron Johnson. Governor Martin began the meeting relating how Eddie and his mother had "attacked" him and "the Secretary" in "that newsletter". Mr. Johnson insisted that Eddie should transfer to a prison in another state. Governor Martin and Secretary of Correction Johnson further states that "Eddie should stop talking up other peoples causes."

The bottom line of the discussion was that Eddie is being discriminated against harassed and held in close custody because of his political outspoken activity from inside the prison system and the newsletter which is distributed statewide. When Governor Martin was informed by Thelma Clark that we would not "stop" what we were doing that it was our constitutional right of Freedom of Speech he then told her, "there's a lot of bad boys at Odom." Eddie was transferred immediately to Odom farm two hundred [200] miles from his home and family. He was forced into protective custody where he was unable to work and earn any gain lime.

JUNE 1992:

Eddie was removed from protective custody and placed on the farm squad. For one month he and sixty [60] other inmates were forced in irrigation ditches containing two [2] to three [3] feet of what they thought was just water. Then Eddie obtained over thirty [30] pages of letters memorandums and the "Civil Assessment and Penalties" from the NC Department of Environment Health and Natural Resources which had been filed against Odom for $16,000 in fines for over seventy-two [72] state violations Odom had been for eighteen [18] months dumping raw sewage including human feces, all from the prison, into the surface and ground water around Odom.

FEBRUARY 1993:

Eddie engaged in a fast to protest the corruption within DOC and the denial of parole. He was denied the third [3] time. Idle fast which lasted twenty-four [24] days resulted in the prison placing him in Administrative lock-up.

MAY 1993:

Eddie is transferred to medium security at Hoke correction thirty-two [32] miles from home. He was given a job working unsupervised.

Supporters of Eddie Hatcher began a letter writing campaign to the German Ambassador asking that they investigate the EH case before they agree to locate a Mercedes-Benz plant in the slate of NC. The German Embassy contacted the NC Council of Churches asking about the Eddie Hatcher case. The North Carolina Council of Churches had recognized Eddie as a "Political" prisoner. The Mercedes plant was awarded to Alabama. The luxury-car giant has admitted that Alabama's decision to stop flying the Confederate flag above its State House which African-American activists had long called for was a positive for the state during the deliberation and selection process. If Mercedes-Benz considered Hatcher s case a strike against locating its car assembly plant in Mebane, NC, the boycott has already cost the state billions of dollars. GOVERNOR HUNT SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN HOLDING A "POLITICAL" PRISONER. Governor Hunt has issued fifty-six [56] regular commutations and pardons since taking office ten [10] months ago. HOW CAN HE JUSTIFY HOLDING A POLITICAL PRISONER???

The EDHDC began a "BOYCOTT NORTH CAROLINA" campaign targeting the TOURISM INDUSTRY and the two top FURNITURE INDUSTRIES whose power and financial clout, through their continued enormous support of officials such as JESSE HELMS and GOVERNOR JIM HUNT, have directly aided the governments continued imprisonment of Eddie Hatcher.

OCTOBER 1993:

EDDIE'S FAMILY MOVES TO RICHMOND COUNTY AND ESTABLISHES "THE EDDIE HATCHER DEFENSE COMMITTEE."

NOVEMBER 2, 1993:

Eddie's mother meets with parole commissioners Ms. Juanita Baker and Ms. Peggy Stamey. She informs them she has moved and if Eddie is paroled he could work in the home, type- setting for the printing and graphics business which had been started. She even asked about house arrest.

NOVEMBER 8, 1993:

Ms. Clark received a letter from the parole commission stating EDDIE HAD BEEN DENIED PAROLE. THIS BEING THE FOURTH [4TH] TIME.

EDDIE IS SERVING AN 18 YEAR SENTENCE AND HAS SERVED OVER FIVE [5] YEARS. EDDIE HAS NO PRIOR CONVICTIONS. IT IS EXTREMELY UNCOMMON FOR ANYONE WITH AN 18 YEAR SENTENCE AND HAVING ALREADY SERVED THIS AMOUNT OF TIME, TO HAVE NOT BEEN PAROLED. WHILE MURDERERS, BIG DRUG DEALERS, AND CHILD MOLESTERS, THAT HAVE SERVED LESS TIME ON LONGER SENTENCES, SOME WITH PREVIOUS RECORDS, ARE BEING PAROLED, EDDIE HATCHER WITH NO PREVIOUS RECORD, A JOB AND FAMILY TO GO HOME TO, REMAINS IN THE N.C. PRISONS AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE.

THE EDDIE HATCHER DEFENSE COMMITTEE IS ORGANIZING A PROTEST ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE DENIAL OF PAROLE OF EDDIE HATCHER, TO BE HELD ON MARCH 5, 1994 AT THE GOVERNORS MANSION, BLOUNT STREET IN RALEIGH, NC. IT WILL START AT 10 AM. WELL KNOWN LOCAL AND NATIONAL SPEAKERS WILL BE ATTENDING AS WELL AS, NATIVE AMERICAN DANCERS. PLEASE ATTEND AND BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU. WE NEED YOUR HELP.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ATTORNEYS?

Every attorney associated with the case of Eddie Hatcher has been the target of the government.

1. Horace Locklear, an Indian attorney from Robeson County who was on the case up to the federal trial was framed by Sheriff Hubert Stone who used a convicted drug dealer who had received an active sentence. Horace Locklear was disbarred for allegedly stating to the convicted drug dealer that he could control the judge. After three years, the convicted drug dealer has still served no time even though he was sentenced to an active sentence.

2. William Kunstler, Barry Nakell and Lewis Pitts, after appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court and having their appeal denied were forced to pay $50,000 in fines. U.S. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina took the very unusual step, even for him, and hired attorneys to file an Amicus Brief in support of the government's sanctions and in support of the Federal Judge which was filed in the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.

3. Law Professor Barry Nakell who has an impeccable reputation and has taught at the University of North Carolina Law School for 15 years and won the famous Bounds v. Smith decision before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1977, received a jail term by State Judge I. Beverly Lake which is presently on appeal. In May 1991, the NC State Bar notified Professor Nakell that they were initiating disbarment proceedings against him and those hearings are scheduled for December 5, 1991.

"Throughout this entire case, politics and the protection of corrupt officials has dictated each and every move made by the government. Politics and the protection of government officials involved in major cocaine trafficking and the execution of minorities overshadowed all moral and democratic principals and practices. Politics and political cover-ups snatched away every legal avenue available to me and it was done blatantly, in full view, for everyone to see and hear. I am a political prisoner in every definition of the term and I and my family continue to suffer because of the corrupt politics used to gain more power and wealth."

It has been two [2] years since the attempted murder of Eddie, yet no charges have been filed against the man that wrote the State Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh News and Observer, stating he tried to kill him.

Sheriff Hubert Stone's son has been promoted from the position of Robeson County deputy to a U.S. Deputy Marshall; Judge I. Beverly Lake is scheduled to be appointed to the NC Supreme Court by the Governor and Joe Freeman Britt, who reindicted Hatcher gained a position on the NC Superior Court. Sheriff Hubert Stone is being considered for the head of the US Marshall's in the Eastern district. He is supported by U.S. Congressman Charlie Rose. Welcome to North Carolina. United States of America The Land of the Free!

BACKGROUND ON THE ROBESONIAN TAKEOVER
[1988]

JANUARY 1987:

Eddie Hatcher becomes actively involved with Concerned Citizens For Better Government. This coalition was formed under the leadership of Mr. John Godwin immediately after Lumbee Indian Jimmy Earl Cummings was killed by deputy Kevin Stone, son of Sheriff Hubert Stone.

JULY 1987:

Eddie begins an independent investigation into the corruption and major drug trafficking in Robeson County.

SEPTEMBER 1987:

Eddie begins serving as secretary of Concerned Citizens For Better Government. He continues investigating corruption and discrimination toward Indians and Blacks in Robeson County.

NOVEMBER 1987:

Eddie is interviewed by the State Bureau of Investigation concerning the shooting death of Edward Zabitosky by local law enforcement. Eddie stated that the residence where Zabitosky was immediately prior to the shooting, was being heavily watched by local law enforcement up until the time Zabitosky left. The shooting death occurred moments after he left the residence and many questions remain unanswered.

DECEMBER 1987:

Eddie makes his first contact with Ms. Teresa Clark, with the Florida State Attorneys office, concerning a support letter written by Sheriff Hubert Stone, for known drug dealer Jonathan Lowery. Eddie has several conversations with Ms. Clark over a six-week period and continues the investigation.

JANUARY 1988:

Eddie is informed by Ms. Clark, with the Florida Slate Attorneys office, that Mr. Kirby Ammons as well as Sheriff Stone, wrote a letter of support for Mr. Jonathan Lowery. Kirby Ammons al that time was the Pembroke Chief of Police.

JANUARY 21-22:

Eddie uncovers information which supports the existence of a major drug cartels in Robeson County with law enforcement involvement

JANUARY 23rd:

Eddie obtains maps and documents which show in detail drug drop zones and over forty [40] distribution points and their distributors in Robeson and surrounding counties.

JANUARY 23-24:

Sheriff Hubert Stone learns of the information and documents which Eddie has obtained. Eddie is informed that Sheriff Stone has issued warrants for his arrest. Because of many unsolved murders, Eddie makes contacts with many agencies in different levels of government and conveys the information and describes the documents and maps. Eddie expresses concern for his safety and the possibility of his being killed.

JANUARY 24th:

Knowing of the corruption and unsolved murders in Robeson County and fearing that Eddie had been targeted to be killed, several prominent citizens in Robeson County arranged for Eddie to be taken out of the county on the night of the 24th.

JANUARY 24-29:

Because of legal issues, the events during this time period cannot be detailed.

JANUARY 29-30:

Eddie and other witnesses see deputy Kevin Stone [Sheriff Hubert Stones son] and other local law enforcement staking out and heavily parroting Eddie's apartment. Eddie feels confident he will be killed.

JANUARY 30-31:

Eddie contacts Timmy Jacobs and explains tote situation. Timmy remains at Eddie's apartment and also becomes fearful that Eddie will be killed. Kevin Stone and other law enforcement watch Eddie's apartment.

FEBRUARY 1, 1988:

Eddie Hatcher and Timmy Jacobs occupy the offices of the Robesonian. Throughout the ten [10] how ordeal Eddie negotiates with Indian Leaders, Black Leaders and the Governor Jim Martin's Chief-of-Staff, Phil Kirk.

UNSOLVED MURDERS / UNRESOLVED MURDERS [partial list]

JANUARY 1975:

Lillian Phillips Callahan, Lou Callahan and Samuel Callahan, were found beaten to death in a wooded area. No motive established, Lumberton police initially investigated their disappearance as a missing persons case.

JUNE 1978:

An unknown female, age 17, was found in a field cut to death. The autopsy report revealed traces of metal in her neck as if her throat had been cut to the spine.

JANUARY 1979:

Vernon Moody Jackson was found shot in the head near his car on Interstate 95. He owned a music store in Lumberton.

JULY 1981:

Jerry Eugene Rozier was found in his bed with one shot to the head.

SEPTEMBER 1981:

George Badger Sampson wits found shot to death behind his home.

SEPTEMBER 1981:

Simon J. Devane was found beaten to death in his home.

NOVEMBER 1981:

Daryl Lynn Godwin was found shot to death in a wooded area. FEBRUARY 1984:

Frank Cox Jr. shot twice in the ear while silting in his pickup truck.

FEBRUARY 1984:

Kenneth Fountain was found boating in the Lumber River 3 weeks after reported missing. Had been shot three times in the head.

FEBRUARY 1984:

Horace Kinlaw found in his home shot through the head.

JANUARY 1985:

Kenneth Shod Bullard was found floating in the Lumber river with a shot through the head.

OCTOBER 1985:

Donnie Lee Hunt, Woodrow Butler and Victor Hammonds, were found murdered in their car near the Lumber river. All had been shot to death with a .44 caliber weapon.

OCTOBER 1985:

Joyce Sinclair found dead where the KKK had held a rally. She had been sexually assaulted and stabbed four times. She had received a job promotion the same weeks

NOVEMBER 1986:

Jimmy Earl Cummings is killed by deputy Kevin Stone, son of Sheriff Hubert Stone. He was killed while fleeing an automobile search and was unarmed.

NOVEMBER 1987:

Edward Zabitosky is killed by a deputy sheriff in a "shoot- out" at his home.

NOVEMBER 1987:

Halbert Patterson is killed by Jerry Cribbs, a white businessman after being chased down and shot in the street. Patterson was unarmed.

JANUARY 1988:

Billy McKellar dies of asphyxiation in the county jail Suffering from an asthma attack Billy was denied medical care and died hours later in the jail while waiting for an ambulance to be called.

A PARTIAL LIST OF UNSOLVED / UNRESOLVED MURDERS
SINCE FEBRUARY 1, 1988

MARCH 1988:

Julian Pierce, an Indian attorney and candidate for superior court judge, found murdered in his home with three gunshot wounds, including one to the head.

MARCH 1988:

Kenneth Ray Oxendine, an Indian, found dead in his bed in Virginia with three gunshot wounds including one to the head.

MARCH 1988: Shirley Jordan and McLean Stevens found burned to death in their home. Ms. Jordan was scheduled to meet the following day with members of the Lawyer's bank to turn over information of corruption in Robeson county.

MARCH 1988:

Randolph Scott, an Indian, was found stabbed and cut to death in his home. He had telephoned the Robesonian during the hostage situation and offered information of corruption in Robeson county. Just weeks prior to his death he had attempted to make contact with attorneys for Hatcher and Jacobs.

MAY 1988:

Barbara Monroe, a black lady, found stabbed and cut to death in her home. Had contacted attorneys for Hatcher and Jacobs about transferring information concerning corruption in Robeson county.

DRUG ACTIVITY AND CONNECTIONS: A PARTIAL LIST

JULY 1985:

Sheriff Hubert Stone testified at the trial of Carson Maynor, a known drug dealer, saying that "it was his opinion that the general character of Maynor in the community was good." Carson was indicted for possession of more that 400 grams of cocaine and other charges and was found guilty of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia

NOVEMBER 1985:

Sheriff Stone sent a letter of recommendation to Florida prior to the sentencing of Jonathan Lowery, a known drug dealer. The support letter was used to try to obtain a lighter sentence for Lowery who was arrested with $80,000 in cash when trying to buy 500 lbs. of marijuana from undercover agents. He received a sentence of one year and one day.

AUGUST 1986:

500 grams of cocaine and more than $3,000 is stolen from the evidence locker of the sheriffs department narcotics office Deputy Kevin Stone was one of only two narcotics agents who had keys to the locker. and there was no forced entry. A trial in 1987 found one deputy innocent and no other charges have been brought.

FEBRUARY 1987:

Robeson county is identified as a major cocaine center by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Webb involving "tens of millions of dollars" and having as "pure cocaine in Robeson as you can in Miami Florida for as cheap a price."

MARCH 1987:

Mitchell Stevens, Deputy sheriff, is put on trial for stealing drugs from the evidence locker. During the trial, testimony was given that reports had been received that Sheriff Stone was receiving payoffs from drug dealers and that one of the two narcotics agents were paid to assist the theft of the drugs.

For many years citizens of Robeson County, Indian, Black and White have sought answers to questions such as, "why will no state or federal level of government help us in our desperation?" On April 20, 1987 over 2,000 citizens of all races and ages participated in the first major civil rights march in Robeson county. Yet the cries went unanswered.

Eddie Hatcher tried to worlk through the system and the system failed him. If our government is not going to protect us, what alternative do any of us have other than to protect ourselves and seek help the only way we know how. As Rev. Jesse Jackson stated during a recent visit to Robeson County, we, "have been abandoned by the law."

[Everything contained herein has been documented and is supported by sworn affidavits, sworn testimony, and tape recorded transcripts.]

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

WRITE LETTERS CALLING, FOR THE PAROLE OF POLITICAL PRISONER EDDIE HATCHER TO THE FOLLOWING:

WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS

North Carolina Parole Commission
Ms. Juanita Baker, Chairman
831 West Morgan St.
Raleigh, NC 27603

Governor Jim Hunt
Office of the Governor
Raleigh, NC 27603

Franklin Freeman,
Secretary Department of Correction
214 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603

Rep. Frances Cunnings
1708 Maryland Street
Lumberton, NC 8358

The Honorable Janet Reno
U.S. Attorney General
The Justice Department
Washington, D.C. 20530

BOYCOTT TOURISM, BROYHILL AND THOMASVILLE FURNITURE

BOYCOTT LETTERS TO:

North Carolina's Travel and Tourism
430 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Tele 1-800-847-4862

Broyhill Furniture Industries
C/O Interco Inc.
101 South Hanley RD
St. Louis, MO 63105

Thomasville Furniture Industries
401 East Main Street
Thomasville, NC 27360

WRITE TO EDDIE HATCHER

Eddie Hatcher
Hoke Correction
P.O. Box 700
Raeford, NC 28376
(Please enclose an SASE for response.)

Organize an Eddie Hatcher Support Group in your area. For information contact Thelma Clark at the Eddie Hatcher Defense Committee.

Volunteer a couple of hours each week to distribute these pamphlets in your area.

Organize a fund-raiser in your area to help us with printing and postage. Also, if you are able please make a donation. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation please make the check or money order out to:

United Church of Christ/Commission for Racial Justice PO Box 187 Enfield, NC 27823

If you have any suggestions or ideas please contact us. This pamphlet is published by:

The Eddie Hatcher Defense Committee,
PO Box 1491,
Hamlet, NC 28345,
Tele: 910-582-8113
Fax: 910-582-0017

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