The former common-law wife of American Indian Movement leader Dennis Banks implicated AIM leaders in the murder of her friend Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash.

According to news reports, Darlene Nichols, also known as Ka-Mook Nichols, said Aquash was terrified of Banks and Leonard Peltier. She testified that she was with Aquash when Peltier bragged about killing two FBI agents. Peltier is serving two life sentences for the crime.

Nichols said she heard, but did not witness, that Peltier once pointed a gun to Aquash's head because he believed she was a federal informant. In the months before her murder, rumors were rampant within AIM that Aquash was an informant.

Aquash's body was found on the Pine Ridge Reservation on February 24, 1976. Nichols testified that Banks called her that same day and told her Anna Mae was dead. Authorities, however, weren't unable to identify the body until much later.

Also testifying was former AIM member Mathalene White Bear. She said Aquash was wearing a ring but told her to call a number if it "were to come to me another way." A few days after speaking to Aquash by phone shortly before the murder, White Bear said the ring was mailed to her.

The number belonged to former AIM leader John Trudell, now a recording artist, who picked up the ring, White Bear said. Trudell is expected to be called as a witness.

Get the Story:
AIM leader's former wife testifies in trial (AP 2/4)
Wife of AIM leader says Leonard Peltier admitted killing FBI agents (The Rapid City Journal 2/5)
In Court, AIM Members Are Depicted as Killers (The New York TImes 2/5)
pwnyt

Relevant Links:
Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash Info - http://www.dickshovel.com/annalay.html

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