The state of Rhode Island is moving forward with criminal cases against members of the Narragansett Tribe who were involved with the tribe's smokeshop.

Criminal charges had been hold pending resolution of the tribe's federal lawsuit against the state. But now that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case, the state will take action, starting at a pretrial conference on Friday.

Before that happens, Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas will meet with Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) today. The two have sparred repeatedly over the legality of the smokeshop, the tribe's failed casino referendum, the tribe's land-into-trust application and other issues.

Get the Story:
Chief Thomas to meet with Carcieri today (The Providence Journal 12/12)
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Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org
Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://www.narf.org/sct/index.html

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