Virtual Murrell refuses to testify against Panthers

About This Item

KPIX Eyewitness news report from June 10th, 1970 by Belva Davis, featuring an interview with a member of Virtual Murrell's legal team. Murrell's lawyer announces that Murrell, the former Distribution Manager for the Black Panther Party, is going to resist the government's application to grant Murrell immunity in exchange for testifying against the Party, claiming that this action is a violation of Murrell's constitutional, political, and civil rights. The lawyer also states that he believes an offer of immunity will still leave Mr. Murrell vulnerable to state prosecution. Murrell is also interviewed, and states that the he believes the goverment's attempt to convince him to testify against the Party represents "the continued harassment of black leadership locally and nationally to suppress the Black Panther Party, and not only to suppress the Black Panther Party's leadership, but also to suppress the black caucus' leadership here in Oakland because of our effectiveness." When asked during the interview if he is associated with the Black Panther Party, Murrell responds, "No more than that we're all going through the same plight: the liberation of black people." Remastered, edited and catalogued for the web by Shira Peltzman.

Originally aired on
KPIX-TV
Date aired
6/10/1970
Recording medium
16mm color, co-magnetic sound film
01:57
Rights for this video belong to
CBS5 KPIX-TV
Type of material
archival newsfilm
Identifier
KPIX 102307
Views
6194

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