Cleaver Says He Was Robbed Day Before Injuries

Former Black Panther Party leader Eldridge Cleaver says he was robbed the day before he was found wandering the streets with a major head injury.

Police said Cleaver, 58, told Inspector Al Bierce about the robbery during a brief interview Wednesday at Alta Bates Medical Center, where he was recovering from a brain hemorrhage.

Because of his condition, Cleaver was unable to provide details about the robbery or describe his attacker, Lt. Michel de Latour said.

“Answering questions was not easy for him,” de Latour said. “He did establish that he was robbed.”

Cleaver was rushed to the hospital March 1 after he collapsed in a jail cell. He underwent emergency surgery later that day for a buildup of fluid between the outer layer of the brain and the skull. His surgeon says the injury was caused by a blow on the head that occurred 12 to 24 hours before police took Cleaver into custody.

Cleaver was cited for public intoxication and possession of crack cocaine and a crack pipe, but authorities might drop the charges in light of his injuries.