Narragansett smoke shop case headed to trial

Friday, December 21, 2007  

Negotiations between seven members of the Narragansett Tribe and the state of Rhode Island broke down on Thursday.

The tribal members were in mediation over charges stemming from the state's violent raid of the reservation on July 14, 2003. State troopers shut down a smoke shop and seized tribal equipment and cash.

The case was on hold pending resolution of sovereignty issues. After the federal courts ruled that the tribe must comply with state law, the case was revived.

The case took another detour when Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) refused to testify about his role. He ordered the raid but the former head of the state troopers has disputed the nature of the orders.

The state Supreme Court heard Carcieri's challenge and urged the parties to mediate. But with no agreement in sight, a trial is set for sometime in late January.

Get the Story:
Parties fail to resolve raid case (The Providence Journal 12/21)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

Related Stories:
Plea deal seen in Narragansett smoke shop case (12/19)
Narragansett smoke shop dispute still in courts (11/30)
Column: Drama at Rhode Island Supreme Court (11/1)
Rhode Island court to hear Narragansett case (9/7)
Rhode Island governor fights Narragansett testimony (9/6)
Governor fights ruling on Narragansett testimony (8/17)
Column: Right call on Narragansett testimony (8/9)
Rhode Island governor must testify about raid (8/6)
Rhode Island governor fights subpoena over raid (8/3)
Column: Unanswered questions on smokeshop raid (8/2)
Rhode Island governor contradicted on raid (8/1)
Narragansett smokeshop defendants head to trial (7/31)
Race, history at issue in Narragansett case (07/12)
Narragansett smokeshop case moved to new court (3/6)
Narragansetts in court over smokeshop raid (01/24)
Column: Smokeshop raid still burns years later (1/23)
Narragansett smokeshop case delayed a week (1/15)