Zolo Azania
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Zolo Agona Azania (Born Rufus Averhart) is an artist and New Afrikan activist from Gary, Indiana who is currently incarcerated in Michigan City, Indiana for his alleged role in the August 11th, 1981 robbery of the Gary National Bank and the subsequent shooting death of Gary Police Lt. and Purple Heart recipient George Yaros. Azania was convicted and sentenced to death for the robbery and slaying in 1982, however his death sentence has been overturned twice, once due to a the systematic exclusion of minority jurors in Allen County, Indiana where the case was tried, and again because the passage of time since the crime was committed has unreasonably affected Azania's ability to present a defense to the punishment and unreasonably benefits the state. The Indiana Supreme Court is expected to review this decision August 27th, 2006, deciding whether to uphold Judge Steve David's landmark decision, or to overturn it and allow the State to seek the death Penalty for a third time.
Prior to 1981, Azania was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of an elderly resident of Gary, Indiana who died during an invasion of his home to which Azania, then known as Averhart, was party.
[edit] Art Works
Azania has painted throughout much of his incarceration. His oil paintings have been exhibited throughout the midwest.
[edit] Notable Supporters and Coalitions of Support
The Duneland Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (Regional committee for the abolition of the Death Penalty), The No Death Penalty for Zolo Azania Committee (not-for-profit coalition of activists and supporters), The Zolo Azania Project (Documentary film project),
- View The Zolo Azania Project Trailer [1]
Amnesty International (International Human Rights Organization), People's Law Offices (Legal representation), and Michael E. Deutsch (Legal representation).
[edit] Prosecution
Bernard Carter (prosecutor), Duputy Atty. General Christopher Lafuse.
