National
Lawyers fight request for DNA from Red Lake teens


Lawyers involved in the grand jury investigation of the March 21, 2005, shooting at the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota are fighting subpoenas that require teens to give samples of their DNA.

Not every teen has been asked to submit DNA but lawyers involved say the request is highly unusual. The subpoenas might be a first in Minnesota.

B. Todd Jones, a former U.S. attorney, told The Minneapolis Star Tribune that grand jury subpoenas for DNA are looked at unfavorably by the courts because they are considered too invasive. Other lawyers say federal prosecutors should ask for a search warrant to obtain the DNA.

Thomas Heffelfinger, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, is overseeing the probe. He has declined to give details and has blasted media leaks and rumors.

In related news, students at Columbine High School in Colorado, the site of the nation's worst incident of school-related violence, arranged for donations to be sent to Red Lake High School for Red Lake's upcoming prom.

Get the Story:
Red Lake: Attorneys resist DNA request (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 4/26)
pwlat
Columbine dresses up Red Lake prom (The Denver Post 4/26)

Relevant Links:
Red Lake Net News - http://www.rlnn.com
Red Lake Nation - http://www.redlakenation.org
Red Lake High School - http://www.paulbunyan.net/rlschools/hs.htm

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