4 Innocent Native Americans Jailed For 18 Years, Set Free But Only After Agreeing Not To SueBy John Vibes Even at the time of the conviction, the case was extremely controversial, with many supporters of the four insisting on their innocence. Family and supporters have continued to fight over the years, collecting evidence of their innocence and pushing for a new trial. As the years went on, the case against them fell apart, making it obvious that the justice system had locked away innocent men for a crime that they did not commit. After years of legal posturing, a new trial was granted this month, and the wrongfully convicted men were quickly released after the new evidence was finally brought to light. Fearing legal retribution, the court forced the innocent men to agree that they would not sue the state or city, even though they should have every right to do so, after losing many of their adult years to prison. Attorney General Craig Richards admitted that there was no case against them, but insisted that the state did not make any mistakes in its investigation. This is not an exoneration. In this settlement, the four defendants agreed they were properly and validly investigated, prosecuted and convicted. Nonetheless, in light of the new evidence produced at the recent hearing, this settlement is just that, a compromise by the parties in a hard-fought legal battle. This compromise reflects the Attorney Generals recognition that if the defendants were retried today it is not clear under the current state of the evidence that they would be convicted, Richards office said in a statement. Obviously, if there was any doubt among the prosecution and the courts that these men were innocent, there is no way that they would allow them to walk free. Governor Bill Walker seemed pleased that the group was banned from filing a lawsuit, as he quickly released a statement praising the compromise. Julia Madeline (@JuliaFBXLawRpt) December 18, 2015 Im pleased the State of Alaska Department of Law and legal counsel representing the Fairbanks Four, including the State of Alaska Office of Public Advocacy, agreed on a settlement that satisfied the court. Im glad there was a process available to the Fairbanks Four where all involved could arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement. I hope this settlement helps to begin the healing process, and provides some measure of justice and closure for Eugene Vent, Kevin Pease, George Frese and Marvin Roberts as they return home to their families, the statement read. However, it is obvious that this agreement was made under duress, and that it was the only way for them to see freedom. By this logic, if the Fairbanks Four decided to pursue their legal rights and challenge their false imprisonment they would be thrown back in jail. And these people have the audacity to call this justice. It is also important to point out that Native Americans face regular police brutality and discrimination in the justice system. The racial group most likely to be killed by law enforcement is Native Americans, followed by African Americans, Latinos, Whites, and Asian Americans. Native Americans represent just 0.8 percent of the population but comprise 1.9 percent of police killings. It is not just Native Americans who are being wrongfully accused and caught up in the US justice system either. According to a recent report from the National Registry of Exonerations at the University of Michigan Law School, 125 falsely accused prisoners were exonerated in 2014. This is actually a record number of exonerations for one years time and is an increase of one-third since 2012. John Vibes is an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference. He also has a publishing company where he offers a censorship free platform for both fiction and non-fiction writers. You can contact him and stay connected to his work at his Facebook page. You can purchase his books, or get your own book published at his website www.JohnVibes.com. John Vibes writes for TheFreeThoughtProject.com Maybe family members can sue? Or maybe the men can sue *to sue.* In any case the state should never be able to get away with this. Id sue anyway. Why should the govt have exclusive right to go back on its word? Bastards. The ethnic origins of these men has no bearing on the merits of their case. The Free thought Project should be renamed the Thought Control Project. This entity is constantly attempting to divide Americans by race. Who finances this stuff? My guess would be George Soros, the evil creep who funds Black Lives Matter. Dont fall for it. We are all Americans. They were proven innocent and signed a no sue under duress. They can still sue and should. I agree; like the article stated they signed under duress and that can be used as a loophole provided they can find the right lawyer or legal team. One would think. Id really like to read that agreement White rascist BS. Governments are forms of slavery as these four where kidnapped from there lives and then ransomed back to their families by signing a contract under duress. Thishasnothing to do with white or not..it was white people fighting for them on their behalf you idiot Hard to believe the jewstice system would let out anyone. Finallysomeone who hit it! Dont forget the Catholic Church.. Catolicos and Jews.no more WASPs on the Supreme Courtnone.for the first time in history. White man justice using injustice to sanctify their justice. Can the racial crap. White people fought to free them. People are people. Blacks have been, natives(some) have been as ruthless and violent. Apparently you should go learn more about their own history. Bloody violent conquests of eachothers tribes. NorthEastern were more peaceful.Cherokee mostly too..a big nation they were. But. As any other people they were just as violent to eachother. It is only the fact of the contrast of their skin that differs. So what if Europeans had dark skin? Would that make it any differnet. War and conquest is a bitch. Life moves on, and we try to make the best out of it and bring as much justice as we can. Rule one: just because someone gives you a microphone doesnt mean you have to say much. FIle suits against the state, the court, the judge, prosecutors, EVERYBODY involved, no matter how minor, MUST PAY, the judge, with his careerPERMANENTLY! Everybody involved in the illegal prosecution must be FORCED to pay for a TELEVISED APOLOGY detailing their crimes and begging to be forgiven. The cost must come ONLY from their personal finances, not a single penny can come from any pubic money! Was this in Canada? Because a Judge should be able to make a ruling regarding the state of duress or not without them violating the agreement. If the Judge finds that the Prosecutor violated their Constitutional Rights..it should be a done deal. If not tis only AGAIN proves our research correct that he Constitution os actually suspended and has been for a very long time. Apparently they only give us enough window dressing to believe it still the law of the land to them. They are treasonous .. This should have never been an option. 