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392 Federal Building, U. S. Court House. 110 South Fourth Street LP 9-1842 Minneapolis, Minnesota... 55401 June 20, 1974 Honorable Willian F. Clayton. United States Attorney Fedoral Building Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57l0l Attontion: Assistant United States Attorney R. D. Hurd Dear Mr Clayton: 'b6 Re conversation batween Special Agent. and Assistant United States Attorney R. D. Hurd on. b7C June.20, 1974. Per referenced conversation, lir. Hurd advised that he had approached Fcderal District Judge Fred J.. Nichol Who is currentiy in St. Paul, Minnesota, trying the case of. Wounded Knee defendants Russell Charles leans and Dennis Janes Banks, concerning the obtaining of tyo petitions which had been entered into evidence from the court in order that the FBI could submit these to the FBr Laboratory for a. handwriting comparison. ^ This handwriting conparison betyeen the petitions and the. letter xeceived by William M. Kunstler, attorney for Russell Means, threatening his life and the. life of defendants Means and Banks would be made to dotermine if any of those persons whose signatures appeared on either of the pctitions could possibiy have yritten the threatening letter. Mr. Hurd adviscd that in conversation with Judge. Nichgl, Judge Nichol had indicated that he had no objections to releasing the petitions from evidence; howeyer, the Govern- ment prosecutors would have to obtain defense counsel's per. mission. Mr. Hurd further advised that to date he has been. unable to obtain permission from defense counsel. Minneapolis wkb