Geronimo Pratt
| Geronimo Pratt | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Elmer Pratt September 13, 1947 Morgan City, Louisiana |
| Died | June 2, 2011 (aged 63) Tanzania |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Residence | Tanzania |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Geronimo Ji-Jaga Pratt, Geronimo Ji Jaga |
| Citizenship | Tanzania |
| Education | UCLA, Sumpter Williams High School (Morgan City, Louisiana) |
| Occupation | Deputy Minister of Defense of the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party |
| Known for | Spending 27 years in prison |
| Home town | Morgan City, Louisiana |
| Political party | Black Panther Party |
| Movement | Black liberation |
| Criminal charge | Murder |
| Criminal penalty | 27 years in prison |
| Criminal status | Released (conviction vacated) |
Geronimo Pratt (born Elmer Pratt, September 13, 1947 – June 2, 2011), also known as Geronimo Ji-Jaga and Geronimo Ji-Jaga Pratt, was a decorated military veteran and a high-ranking member of the Black Panther Party in the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Born in Louisiana, he served two tours in Vietnam, receiving several decorations. He moved to Los Angeles, where he studied at UCLA under the GI Bill. He also joined the Black Panther Party, working to support poor blacks and correct injustice.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation targeted Pratt in a COINTELPRO operation in the early 1970s, intended to "neutralize Pratt as an effective BPP functionary." Pratt was tried and convicted of the kidnap and murder of schoolteacher Caroline Olsen in 1972; he served 27 years in prison, eight of which were in solitary confinement. Pratt was freed in 1997 when his conviction was vacated due to the prosecution's having concealed evidence that may have affected the verdict. This decision was upheld by the state court on appeal.
He worked as a human rights activist up until the time of his death. Pratt was also the godfather of the late rapper Tupac Shakur. He died of a heart attack in his adopted country, Tanzania, on June 3, 2011.
Elmer Pratt was born in Morgan City, Louisiana, where his father was in the scrap metal business. Pratt was a star quarterback at Sumpter Williams High School.
He served two combat tours as a soldier in the Vietnam War, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was highly decorated, earning two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. He later moved to Los Angeles.
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