Aug. 7, 1970: Jonathan Jackson Storms the Marin County Courthouse

August 7 1970, 17 year old Jonathan Jackson stormed the Marin County Hall of Justice during the trial of San Quentin prisoner James McClain. After taking hostages and demanding freedom for the Soledad Brothers, including his brother George Jackson, he was killed.

Jackson entered the courthouse with three guns, drew weapons from his satchel, and with the assistance of McClain and two prisoners who were witnesses for McClain, Ruchell Magee and William A. Christmas, took Judge Haley, Deputy DA Gary Thomas and three jurors hostage.

While fleeing the courthouse, Jackson, McClain, Magee and Christmas tried to shuffle the hostages into a van to ultimately use them to negotiate for the freedom of the Soledad Brothers: George Jackson, Fleeta Drumgo, and John Clutchette, political prisoners held at San Quentin.

Police and guards opened fire on the van resulting in the deaths of Jackson, Haley, McClain and Christmas. Magee and Thomas were severely injured and prosecutor Gary Thomas was paralyzed. Magee and Angela Davis, whose name the guns were registered under, were placed on trial.

Angela Davis’s trial was nationally showcased, elevating her name and a Free Angela movement across the country. Prosecutors sought the death sentence for her felony charges. She was held as a political prisoner for over a year before being acquitted and cleared on all counts.

Ruchell Magee was sentenced to life in prison in 1975 and was the longest held political prisoner in U.S. history. Last year, he finally won his freedom. Shortly after his relase, Ruchell Magee passed away on October 17, 2023.