Former Black Panther Sundiata Acoli released from prison after 49 years

The oldest imprisoned Panther was eligible for parole 29 years ago but was repeatedly denied in spite of exemplary' prison record

Sundiata Acoli, 85, the oldest former member of the Black Panthers still to be incarcerated for acts of violence during the 1970s Black liberation struggle, is finally to be released from prison after the New Jersey supreme court ruled that he was no longer a risk to public safety.

Acoli has been held captive for more than 49 years for the May 1973 shooting of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster. He was found guilty the following year and sentenced to life plus 24 to 35 years.