The University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Levasseur, Raymond Luc

Raymond Luc Levasseur Trial transcripts

1989
12 linear feet
Call no.: MS 334

For over a decade, the radical United Freedom Front waged a concerted revolutionary campaign, confronting U.S. imperialism in Central America, apartheid, and other issues. Led by Raymond Luc Levasseur (b. 1940), the UFF carried out a string of bank robberies and bombings in the northeast, usually providing forewarning to avoid casualties. On November 4, 1984, following an intense nationwide manhunt, the FBI succeeded in apprehending Levasseur and his wife Patricia Gros near Deerfield, Ohio, and within a year, most of the remaining members of the UFF were under arrest. Levasseur and six of his comrades were eventually sentenced to long terms for the robberies and bombings and (two of them) for the death of a New Jersey state trooper. The government’s attempt in 1989 to bring charges of seditious conspiracy and violations of the RICO act, however, ended in an acquittal on most charges and a hung jury on the rest. Having served nearly half of his 45 year sentence, Levasseur was released from prison in November 2004.

The Levasseur Collection consists of the complete transcripts of the 1989 sedition trial of the “Ohio Seven” (US v. Levasseur).

Background on Raymond Luc Levasseur

For over a decade, the radical United Freedom Front waged a concerted revolutionary campaign, confronting U.S. imperialism in Central America, apartheid, and other issues. Led by Raymond Luc Levasseur (b. 1940), the UFF carried out a string of bank robberies and bombings in the northeast, usually providing forewarning to avoid casualties. On November 4, 1984, following an intense nationwide manhunt, the FBI succeeded in apprehending Levasseur and his wife Patricia Gros near Deerfield, Ohio, and within a year, most of the remaining members of the UFF were under arrest. Levasseur and six of his comrades were eventually sentenced to long terms for the robberies and bombings and (two of them) for the death of a New Jersey state trooper. The government’s attempt in 1989 to bring charges of seditious conspiracy and violations of the RICO act, however, ended in an acquittal on most charges and a hung jury on the rest. Having served nearly half of his 45 year sentence, Levasseur was released from prison in November 2004.

Contents of Collection

The Levasseur Collection consists of the complete transcripts of the 1989 sedition trial of the ‘Ohio Seven’ (US v. Levasseur) as well as miscellaneous motions and legal documents leading up to the trial.

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Inventory of Collection
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Jan 9-18 Box 1

Jury instructions, opening statements.

U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Jan 19-Feb 6 Box 2
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Feb 7-14 Box 3
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Feb 15-23 Box 4
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Feb 24-Mar 14 Box 5
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Mar 15-22 Box 6
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Mar 23-Apr 12 Box 7
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Apr 13-May 1 Box 8
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 May 2-15 Box 9
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 May 16-June 1 Box 10
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 June 2-8 Box 11
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 June 9-19 Box 12
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 June 20-July 7 Box 13
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 July 10-Aug 14 Box 14
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Aug 15-22 Box 15
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Aug 23-Sept 6 Box 16
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Sept 11-18 Box 17
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Sept 20-Oct 11 Box 18
U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Oct 12-13 Box 19

Also contains miscellaneous motions, decisions, etc.

U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts Oct 16-Nov 1 Box 20

William Kunstler testimony, Howard Zinn testimony, closing arguments.

U.S. vs. Levasseur transcripts 1989 Nov 2-28 Box 21

Closing arguments, jury deliberation.

U.S. vs. Levasseur miscellaneous motions, legal documents 1987-1988 Box 22

Includes FBI analysis of United Freedom Front coded notebooks.

U.S. vs. Levasseur miscellaneous motions, appeals 1988 Box 23
U.S. vs. Levasseur miscellaneous pre-trial hearings 1988-1989 Jan Box 24

Includes Joey Aceto psychiatric records.

U.S. vs. Levasseur copies of government motions and letters ca. 1988 Box 25
U.S. vs. Levasseur copies of government motions and letters ca. 1988 Box 26
U.S. vs. King transcripts 1987 Sept 8-22 Box 27
U.S. vs. King transcripts 1987 Sept 23-Oct 7 Box 28
U.S. vs. King transcripts 1987 Oct 15-29 Box 29
U.S. vs. King transcripts 1987 Nov 2-6 Box 30

U.S. vs. Levasseur government evidence list and jury selection documents.

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Processing Information

Processed by Dan Chard, June 2012.

Copyright and Use (More informationConnect to publication information)

Cite as: Raymond Luc Levasseur Trial Transcripts (MS 334). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Subjects

Political prisoners--United StatesSeditionUnited Freedom Front

Contributors

Levasseur, Ray Luc