OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Edward Poindexter, one the men convicted in a bombing attack that killed Omaha Police officer Larry Minard in 1970, has died.
Poindexter, 79, died in custody on December 7. He and another man, David Rice, were convicted of first-degree murder eight months after the bombing.
On August 17, 1970, Minard responded to a 911 call at a house near 28th and Ohio Streets. He was killed when he tried to move a suitcase inside the home that had been booby-trapped to explode. Seven other people were injured in the explosion.
In recent years Poindexter, his family, and other advocates had asked for a compassionate release due to his age and other health issues. However, Minard's children believe the two are guilty and justice was served.
"I really don't have memories of his dad. only of his death and the fight we have fought for 53 years," said Minard's youngest son, Charles.
Poindexter and Rice were convicted in April 1971. Charges against a third person, a 15-year-old boy, were dropped after he agreed to provide information and evidence against Poindexter and Rice. Rice died in prison in 2016.
"He was a good man, he didn't deserve what happened to him," Minard said.
Preston Love, Jr. and other advocates, including some of Poindexter's relatives, asked state officials to release him on compassionate grounds. He never was.
"It was political reasons he could not even get on the list to be considered for a pardon," Preston Love said.
Minard says Poindexter's death has not brought closure to his family, only a feeling of justice for their father.
