Strange how Carter goes through phases every once in a while where he's either underrated or overrated. Still, he beat both Florentino Fernandez and Griffith in one round a piece. Can't fault that.
Carter was no Saint and his life style meant he always got him in trouble, but he did was not involved in the Lafayette bar murders, (nor Artis for that matter). Carter was given an unfair trial due to a Brady violation. His career was ruined by his drink problem and he was past his best by the time of his conviction. As for the Giardello fight, the film was sued by the Giardello family and the case was won, Giardello was not boo'd in Philadelphia,
I recently had a look at Carter and the evidence against him although not in detail but came to the conclusion the evidence was pretty and strong and that he already had a lengthy police record behind so I though he was probably guilty. The reason I did look over this was because I watched a recent interview on youtube with him, and he was such an amazing person, highly intelligent and very charismatic and charming, although I believe he was probably guilty on the evidence I find it hard to believe a man of his intelligence and personality could commit such a crime and the other crimes he was also convicted of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOs9pP-m43g
It did not matter in the end, it was proven his trial was flawed before it even began... The evidence in a fair trial, would of probably too flimsy to convict, the benefit of the doubt was very much in Carters favour. Which for a man who ran guns for Biko and was a figure in the black power movement, kind of shows up the flaws in the case. The sad thing is two men got away with mudering James Oliver, Fred Nuauyok and (in due course) Hazel Tanis; as well as injuring William Marins. And two men served over 35 years between them for crimes they were never fairly convicted of.
Kelley was not his former parole officer. She was a supporter who created the New Jersey Defence Committee for Carter. Kelley claimed Carter knocked her out, but decided to not file any criminal or civil complaints against Carter. She claimed head and back pain, but was otherwise unmarked in a press conference she arranged after the attack. On a hearing to revoke Carter's parole, it was revealed Kelley had gone to three different hospital emergency rooms in a two day period. Three doctors, two nurses and and an ambulance attendant testifying they saw no evidence of bruising and swelling on her face, despite allegedly being kicked and punched in the face, leaving her unconscious by Carter.
It seems like they're all lying, except a known psycho like Carter. He slapped her about in all likelihood. Maybe she didn't have great injuries, doesn't mean he didn't act aggressive and possibly strike here. I can't believe an ex-parole officer (which I've read she was), who helped get him out would reduce herself to sometrhing that low. Still, i'll be open-minded here but I'll need more proof than his crappy book on this one.