After 30 Years, Call Tape Is Critical to Case

It was 1970 when Omaha police officer Larry Minard responded to a telephone call from a screaming man who said something bad was happening at a vacant house at 2867 Ohio St. When he arrived, he found the house empty except for a suitcase. Police say when he picked up the suitcase, it exploded, killing him. Now the logging tape of that call is being considered by the Nebraska Supreme Court in the conviction of two men who police say were part of an anti-government group associated with the Black Panthers. Edward Poindexter and David Rice are serving life terms, with their conviction partly based on the telephone call that was made by then-15 year-old Duane Peak. The two men’s attorneys claim that Peak did not make the call, and are requesting a new trial. Read more about the recent Supreme Court hearing here. You can also listen to the entire Supreme Court oral argument (during which they play the 911 call) here.