Assata Olugbala Shakur, formerly known as JoAnne Deborah Byron, is a renowned figure, often referred to by her married surname Chesimard, who was an integral member of the Black Liberation Army.
In 1973, Shakur was involved in a high-profile shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike, which resulted in the tragic death of State Trooper Werner Foerster. She was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder under New Jersey's "aiding and abetting" statute.
Shakur's legal journey took a dramatic turn on November 2, 1979, when she managed to escape from prison, sparking a massive manhunt.
After evading capture for several years, Shakur resurfaced in 1984, having fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum.
