Lawmaker Wants Woman Convicted of Murdering New Jersey Trooper Returned to U.S.
Senator Sean Kean is calling on President Barack Obama to delay normalizing relations with Cuba until they agree to extradite the murderer of a New Jersey State Trooper who has been living in Cuba for more than two decades.
In a letter sent today to President Obama, Kean called on the President to insist that Cuba extradite JoAnne Chesimard who was convicted of the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster.
In the letter Kean said Cuba’s failure to extradite Chesimard was an insult to her victim and to members of law enforcement.
“I am sure you would agree that this murderer of a dedicated law enforcement officer should be made to face the consequences for her cowardly actions that took the life of this brave man,” he wrote. “By aiding and abetting this cold-blooded killer, Cuba has insulted our State Police and all members of the law enforcement community.
A member of the radical Black Liberation Army, Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba where she was granted political asylum.
Kean said that normalizing relations without requiring Chesimard’s extradition would send a terrible message about our country’s commitment to its law enforcement officers.
“For the United States to enter into normal relations with Cuba without requiring Chesimard’s extradition sends the message to the world that we are not committed to pursuing justice for a police officer who was savagely gunned down in the line of duty” wrote Kean.
The letter to President Obama follows:
April 17, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama:
I am writing to strongly urge you to delay normalizing relations with Cuba unless they agree to extradite convicted cop killer JoAnne Chesimard.
As you may be aware, Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, was convicted of murdering New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a shoot-out on the New Jersey Turnpike in May of 1973. After being pulled over for a routine traffic stop, Chesimard and fellow members of the radical Black Liberation Army opened fire on Foerster and another State Trooper. According to reports, Chesimard killed Foerster “execution style”, shooting him in the head as he lay wounded by gunfire.
For her role in this heinous crime, Chesimard was sentenced to life in prison. However, after her conviction, Chesimard escaped from prison and fled to Cuba where she was granted political asylum and has lived ever since.
I am sure you would agree that this murderer of a dedicated law enforcement officer should be made to face the consequences for her cowardly actions that took the life of this brave man. Further, by aiding and abetting this cold-blooded killer, Cuba has insulted our State Police and all members of the law enforcement community.
As such, for the United States to enter into normal relations with Cuba without requiring Chesimard’s extradition sends the message to the world that we are not committed to pursuing justice for a police officer who was savagely gunned down in the line of duty.
Therefore, I urge you to take action to ensure that any efforts to normalize relations with Cuba are contingent upon the extradition of JoAnne Chesimard to the appropriate authorities in the United States.
Sincerely,
Sean T. Kean
Senator, 11th District, New Jersey
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