Norma Jean Croy: Political Prisoner
"Her Fight for Freedom from Prison is Our Fight Too."
by the Norma Jean Croy Defense Committee
Norma Jean Croy is a Native American lesbian imprisoned since 1978 for a
killing she did not commit. Actually, there was no murder at all.
Summer 1978 ... Yreka, Northern California ... Four Indians at a convenience
store ... Verbally abusive store clerk accuses theft ... Police and high
speed chase ... 27 cops shooting at anything that moves ... Norma and Hooty
shot in the back ... Drunken off-duty cop... Hooty fires one shot in self-defense
... Cop dies.
Hooty was given the death penalty and Norma Jean, who never even touched
the weapon, was given a life sentence. Both are still living with bullets
lodged near their spinal cords.
In 1989, due to public pressure, after many years on Death Row, Hooty was
granted a new trial. Change of venue took that trial out of the rural counties
in Northern California where prejudice against Indian people runs high.
New evidence of historical racism was presented, therefore justifying a
cultural self-defense. This was a landmark victory, and Hooty was released.
Despite Hooty's acquittal, the government has refused to release Norma Jean
Croy. Before Hooty was retried and acquitted, very little attention had
been paid to Norma Jean's situation. We believe this is a product of the
sexism as well as the racism that pervades every aspect of life in the United
States.
Norma Jean Croy is in prison today because she is an Indian woman and because
she is a lesbian. The racist forces which perpetuate the genocide of Native
American peoples are the same forces which prevent Lesbian and Gay Liberation.
Being an out lesbian behind prison walls can be a life and death struggle.
As lesbians and gays we support Norma Jean Croy. Her fight for freedom from
prison is our fight for freedom too. We feel we need to tell the public
about Norma Jean Croy's situation to expose one of the many injustices perpetuated
by the U.S. government. There are many people in prison because of poverty,
racism, homophobia and political repression. As the U.S. economic and social
structure deteriorates, racist and sexist terror escalates. Anti-lesbian
and anti-gay violence and repression are on the rise all over the country.
All the while social services and jobs are replaced by war and jails.
At Norma Jean Croy's fourth parole hearing on July 16, 1992, attorneys submitted
over 1745 letters of support, including several job offers and places of
residence in the Bay Area. The 3-member board paid little, if any, attention
to these letters. Norma, who has been imprisoned for 14 years, was denied
parole for another two years. Norma's petition for a new trial is currently
pending before the California Supreme Court.
Persons interested in keeping informed on future developments in Norma's
case should send their name and address to the Norma Jean Croy Defense Committee
at 473 Jackson St. 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA 94111.
Native American
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