Today in history: California judge Harold Haley is taken hostage and killed during an effort to free George Jackson from police custody.

 

On August 7, 1970, a dramatic and violent courtroom incident unfolded at the Marin County Civic Center in California. Jonathan Jackson, a 17-year-old, entered the courtroom during the trial of inmate James McClain, armed with multiple weapons. He aimed to free McClain and two other inmates, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee, who were present as witnesses. Jackson provided guns to the inmates and took several hostages, including Judge Harold Haley, in a desperate attempt to secure the release of his older brother, George Jackson, an activist and co-founder of the Black Guerrilla Family who was facing charges related to the murder of a prison guard.

See also: Today in history: On August 6, 1962 – Jamaica becomes independent from the United Kingdom.

As the group attempted to flee with the hostages in a van, chaos ensued. Police opened fire as the vehicle tried to escape, leading to a shootout. Judge Haley was killed by a shotgun blast to the head, his body still bound with a makeshift noose that had been rigged to a shotgun pointed at him. Jonathan Jackson, McClain, and Christmas also died in the hail of gunfire, while Ruchell Magee was wounded and later captured. The incident shocked the nation and intensified public debates about racial injustice, prison conditions, and the radicalization of young Black activists during the civil rights era.

See also: Today in history: On August 7, 1960 – Ivory Coast becomes independent from France.