Jonathan P. Jackson

Jonathan Peter Jackson (June 23, 1953 – August 7, 1970) was an American militant activist who died of gunshot wounds sustained during an armed invasion of the Marin County Civic Center. The action was initiated to demand the freedom of the jailed Soledad Brothers, including Jackson's brother George. At age 17, Jackson overpowered a Marin County courtroom at gunpoint, taking Superior Court Judge Harold Haley, prosecutor Gary W. Thomas, and three jurors hostage. In the ensuing shootout, Jackson and Judge Haley were killed, along with two inmates already in the courtroom, who had readily joined the attack; prosecutor Thomas was paralyzed and one juror was seriously injured. The guns that Jackson used were registered to political activist Angela Davis, who at the time was leading the Soledad Brothers Defense Committee. Davis stood trial for alleged involvement in the courtroom raid and kidnapping and was acquitted of all charges in June 1972.