Narragansett smokeshop case awaiting trial

Friday, January 18, 2008  

Seven members of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island have yet to go to trial over the state's raid of the reservation on July 14, 2003.

The trial was delayed while the tribe pursued a sovereignty lawsuit in federal court. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals eventually ruled that the state's raid was lawful and that the state could impose taxes on a reservation smokeshop.

The seven Narragansetts -- including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas -- are charged with assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, all misdemeanors. They asked a judge to dismiss the charges, citing the failure of the state to turn over some key documents.

Superior Court Judge Susan E. McGuirl agreed the documents should have been turned over. She has ordered state police officials to testify about the failure to disclose.

Get the Story:
Judge to state police: Why were smoke-shop documents withheld? (The Providence Journal 1/18)
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Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

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