The Washington Supreme Court is convening a historical court to seek justice for Nisqually Chief Leschi, who was hanged in 1858 for a murder his descendants and some historians say he didn't commit.

Leschi was arrested after the 1855 Indian War, when he and others were fighting to protect their land. He was charged with the murder of a militia soldier but the first trial ended in a hung jury.

During the second trial, the jury was not told it could acquit Leschi because the killing could have been an act of war. He was found guilty, sentenced to die and was hanged by a posse on February 19, 1858.

The historical court will start a rehearing on Friday. Leschi's descendants and some historians say there is evidence he wasn't in the area during the attack in question.

Get the Story:
Chief was war hero, not killer, tribe says (AP 12/6)
Seeking justice for the chief: 150 years later, Leschi will get a retrial (The Seattle Times 12/5)
Editorial: Court will investigate Leschi case (The Olympian 12/3)

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

Related Stories:
Editorial: Court must exonerate Nisqually Chief Leschi (03/16)
Editorial: Lawmakers right to clear Chief Leschi (3/8)
Nisqually chief's execution called 'black mark' (2/19)
Bill to clear Nisqually chief gets hearing in Wash. (2/18)
Leschi descendants work to clear chief's name (09/15)