Supporters of a bill that seeks to exonerate Nisqually Chief Leschi testified at a hearing before the Washington Legislatures on Wednesday.

Tribal leaders, state lawmakers and local officials support the bill. They say Leschi was wrongfully convicted and executed 146 years ago for the murder of a soldier. They point to historical records that show Leschi wasn't near the scene of the soldier's death.

The bill asks the state Supreme Court to set aside the conviction. The chief justice testified that the court "just can't reach back 150 years or any length of time and wave away a conviction," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.

Get the Story:
Exonerate Chief Leschi of murder, say tribe, lawmakers (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2/19)

Relevant Links:
Chief Leschi information - http://www.leschi.bia.edu/leschiinfo.htm

Related Stories:
Bill to clear Nisqually chief gets hearing in Wash. (2/18)
Leschi descendants work to clear chief's name (09/15)