HUEY NEWTON ON SELF-DEFENCE

Early in the morning of 28 October 1967, a police officer stopped Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P Newton’s car in Oakland, California, to check for parking violations. The officer, John Frey, called for backup from fellow police officer Herbert Heanes, who claimed that he was shot in the arm as Frey informed Newton of his arrest. Heanes then shot Newton in his midsection. An altercation ensued, which resulted in Frey's death. According to Newton, Frey screamed numerous racial slurs before shooting him. Newton then heard various gunshots, but remembered not much else until he arrived at the hospital in a semiconscious state. A doctor was called to the trial to testify to the likelihood of Newton’s claims, given his injuries. Nevertheless, Newton was sentenced to two to 15 years in prison.

Newton would continue to struggle for African liberation and a worldwide 'Free Huey' campaign led to mass mobilisations for his release.

Here is what Huey P. Newton had to say in 1968 about his trial.