On July 6th, California State prosecutors were forced to admit that they have insufficient evidence against the San Francisco 8. A Community Celebration for the SF8 was held July 7th in San Francisco.

Charges against four of the defendants were dropped and Jalil Muntaqim pled no contest to conspiracy to commit voluntary manslaughter. He received credit for time served (close to 2 1/2 years in County Jail) and 3 years probation. He will return to New York to fight for parole. Those for whom charges were dismissed were Ray Boudreaux, Richard Brown, Hank Jones, and Harold Taylor.

The courtroom at 850 Bryant Street was packed with SF 8 supporters after a rally of hundreds and a huge Free SF 8 banner was displayed on the hillside of Bernal Heights to be seen from all over the city.

"This is finally the disposition of a case that should never have been brought in the first place," announced attorney Soffiyah Elijah.

Francisco Torres still faces a court hearing on August 10th.

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Oscar Grant, San Francisco 8 and the History of Political Repression in America | Herman Bell Pleads Guilty to Reduced Charge of Voluntary Manslaughter | Herman Bell of SF8 Pleads Guilty to a Lesser Offense | SF8 Board of Supes Resolution Postponed; SF Labor Council Resolution | Supervisors’ resolution urges AG Jerry Brown to drop charges against SF 8 | More Strange Fruit | Story on SF8 shows weakness of case | San Francisco Labor Council votes to uphold SF8 Resolution-SF POA Beaten Back | Richard Brown, former Black Panther, San Francisco 8

Past Indybay SF8 Coverage | FreeTheSF8.org