A New York judge removed a precedent-setting order that granted a pair of chimpanzees legal personhood. (Photo: Tambako the Jaguar/flickr/cc)
Apr 22, 2015
The New York judge who on Tuesday granted a writ of habeas corpus to two chimpanzees being held at Stony Brook University has issued a revised order (pdf) clarifying that she did not mean to give legal personhood to the primates.
Leo and Hercules, who are currently housed at Stony Brook University for biomedical experiments, may still gain freedom from captivity and be transferred to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida, but Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe's amended ruling removes the precedent-setting factor of the case.
A hearing is set for May 6, in which a representative of Stony Brook University will have to argue the school's reasons for keeping the chimps. The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), which filed the case, will argue that the primates are too intelligent and emotionally complex to be held in captivity. The court will then decide whether to set Leo and Hercules free.
After the amendment was made, the NhRP responded with measured optimism.
"This case is one of a trio of cases that the Nonhuman Rights Project has brought in an attempt to free chimpanzees imprisoned within the State of New York through an 'Article 70-Habeas Corpus' proceeding," the NhRP stated. "These cases are novel and this is the first time that an Order to Show Cause has issued. We are grateful for an opportunity to litigate the issue of the freedom of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, at the ordered May hearing."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
The New York judge who on Tuesday granted a writ of habeas corpus to two chimpanzees being held at Stony Brook University has issued a revised order (pdf) clarifying that she did not mean to give legal personhood to the primates.
Leo and Hercules, who are currently housed at Stony Brook University for biomedical experiments, may still gain freedom from captivity and be transferred to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida, but Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe's amended ruling removes the precedent-setting factor of the case.
A hearing is set for May 6, in which a representative of Stony Brook University will have to argue the school's reasons for keeping the chimps. The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), which filed the case, will argue that the primates are too intelligent and emotionally complex to be held in captivity. The court will then decide whether to set Leo and Hercules free.
After the amendment was made, the NhRP responded with measured optimism.
"This case is one of a trio of cases that the Nonhuman Rights Project has brought in an attempt to free chimpanzees imprisoned within the State of New York through an 'Article 70-Habeas Corpus' proceeding," the NhRP stated. "These cases are novel and this is the first time that an Order to Show Cause has issued. We are grateful for an opportunity to litigate the issue of the freedom of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, at the ordered May hearing."
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
The New York judge who on Tuesday granted a writ of habeas corpus to two chimpanzees being held at Stony Brook University has issued a revised order (pdf) clarifying that she did not mean to give legal personhood to the primates.
Leo and Hercules, who are currently housed at Stony Brook University for biomedical experiments, may still gain freedom from captivity and be transferred to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Ft. Pierce, Florida, but Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe's amended ruling removes the precedent-setting factor of the case.
A hearing is set for May 6, in which a representative of Stony Brook University will have to argue the school's reasons for keeping the chimps. The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), which filed the case, will argue that the primates are too intelligent and emotionally complex to be held in captivity. The court will then decide whether to set Leo and Hercules free.
After the amendment was made, the NhRP responded with measured optimism.
"This case is one of a trio of cases that the Nonhuman Rights Project has brought in an attempt to free chimpanzees imprisoned within the State of New York through an 'Article 70-Habeas Corpus' proceeding," the NhRP stated. "These cases are novel and this is the first time that an Order to Show Cause has issued. We are grateful for an opportunity to litigate the issue of the freedom of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, at the ordered May hearing."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.