Biography
Ruchell "Cinque" Magee (born Ruchell Lewis, 1939–2023) was one of the longest-held prisoners in U.S. history, incarcerated almost continuously from the 1960s. He was the sole surviving participant in the August 7, 1970 Marin County Civic Center courthouse incident — Jonathan Jackson's armed attempt to free the Soledad Brothers, in which Judge Harold Haley was killed — and pleaded guilty to aggravated kidnapping. A renowned jailhouse lawyer who took the name "Cinque," he became a symbol of the Black liberation and prison movements. He was freed in August 2023 under California's compassionate-release law and died that October, 81 days after his release.
Ruchell Magee is America's longest held political prisoner. In 1961 while driving with a casual acquaintance Magee was pulled over by police. When the officers attempted to search the car the acquaintance told police that they would find Marijuana in the glove compartment but it wasn't and belonged to Magee who he claimed had kidnapped him. The accusation was both ridiculous and false but that didn't stop Magee from being arrested and convicted of the crime and given a harsh sentence of 7 years. While in jail Magee witnessed the murder of black inmates by guards on 3 separate occasions. After the guard responsible for the killings was murdered, 3 inmates were arrested and Magee was asked to testify. During the trial 17 year old Jonathan P. Jackson stormed the court room while armed and took the judge hostage in an attempt to secure the release of his older brother who was on trial for the guards killing. Despite having no knowledge of the planned attack, Magee was brought along with other hostages as Jackson tried to leave the courthouse and though it was unsuccessful, Magee was convicted in aiding with the escape attempt and given a life sentence.
