Huey P. Newton's Life

Huey Percy Newton (February 17, 1942 - August 22, 1989), was co-founder and inspirational leader of the Black Panther Party, a Black nationalist organization that existed in the 1960s and '80s.

Newton and Seale decided early on that the police abuse of power in Oakland against African-Americans 'must be stopped'. From his college study of law, Newton understood the California penal code and the state's law regarding weapons and was thus able to convince a number of African-Americans to exercise their legal right to openly bear arms (concealed firearms were illegal). Members of the Black Panther Party carrying rifles and shotguns began patrolling areas where the Oakland police were said to commit crimes against the community's black citizens. This program was widely supported in the African American community for its efforts to stop reported racial crimes by their local police. In addition to patrolling, Newton and Seale were responsible for writing the Black Panther Party Platform and Program, which drew largely upon Newton’s Maoist influences. Newton was also instrumental in the creation of a breakfast program that fed hundreds of children of the local communities before they went to school each day. Former Panther Earl Anthony said the party was created with the goal to organize America for armed Maoist revolution to change the social situation to help black people. For Black Panthers this meant the realignment of economic policies in the United States to benefit everyone (including other races) who were being crushed under the weight of American big-business capitalism. In 1985, Newton was arrested for embezzling state and federal funds from the Black Panthers' community education and nutrition programs. In 1989, he was convicted of embezzling funds from a school run by the Black Panthers, supposedly to support his alcohol and drug addictions.

In the predawn hours of October 28, 1967, Newton was stopped by Oakland police officer John Frey who attempted to disarm and discourage the patrols. But, after fellow officer Herbert Heanes arrived for backup, shots were fired, with all three individuals wounded. Frey was hit four times and died within an hour, while Heanes was in serious condition with three bullet wounds. Newton, also being hit by gunfire, but apparently not as seriously wounded, staggered into the city's Kaiser Hospital. He was admitted, but shocked to find himself chained to his bed. Accused of murdering Frey, Newton was convicted in September, 1968 of "voluntary manslaughter", and was sentenced from 2 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. While Newton had been imprisoned, party membership had decreased significantly in several cities. The FBI had been actively involved in a campaign to eliminate the Black Panthers 'community outreach' programs such as free breakfasts for children, sickle-cell disease tests, and free food and shoes. Funding for several of their programs were raised as the result of the co-operation of the only independent commerce in the area, drug dealers and prostitution ring leaders. Bobby Seale later wrote about his belief of Newton’s involvement and attempted takeover of the Oakland drug trade. Seale further claimed Newton attempted to 'shake down' pimps and drug dealers, and as a result, a contract was taken out on Newton’s life. This story, however, was never proven. In 1974, several charges were filed against Newton, and he was also accused of murdering a 17 year-old prostitute, Kathleen Smith. Newton failed to make his court appearance. His bail was revoked, a bench warrant was issued, and Newton's name was 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'. Because the evidence was largely circumstantial and not solid beyond hearsay, Newton was acquitted of the murder of Kathleen Smith after two trials were deadlocked.

On August 22, 1989, Newton was shot and killed by a man known for drug dealing in Oakland. Media reports theorized Newton had become involved in drug dealing and was shot during a 'drug deal gone sour.'

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