Blood in the Water

An African-American-oriented socialist and anti-racist party founded by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in 1966. Black Panthers were active within the Attica prison population in the 1970s.

Hearings held by an independent committee, once a candidate has been nominated by the president for a federal office, to confirm someone’s suitability for the role. With confirmation hearings of Rockefeller for US vice president to Gerald Ford on the horizon, Rockefeller and his supporters likely did not want trooper indictments to affect his chances.

Trials determining the amount of compensation to be shared by the plaintiffs in a civil case.

Also known as DOCS, the state department responsible for managing state prisons or “correctional facilities.”

Also known as FVOA, a group created in 2000 to represent the families of hostages killed, and surviving hostages, from the prison retaking at Attica.

A jury hearing held to determine whether a case should go to a full trial.

A special court order that compels a party to do, or refrain from, specific acts. Court injunctions were used to try and protect prisoners from abuse after the retaking.

Trials held prior to damages trials to determine who, if anyone, is liable to pay damages to the plaintiffs.

NYSP troopers were one of the main groups responsible for the retaking of Attica prison.

A person or persons who bring a case against another in a court of law.