The trial of seven members of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island who were arrested during the state's raid of the reservation has finally begun, more than three years after the July 14, 2003, incident. The jury was seated yesterday and was taken to the reservation to see the smokeshop where the raid occurred. State troopers violently clashed with tribal members, resulting in the arrests of seven Narragansett -- including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas. Opening arguments are taking place this morning. The trial is expected to last a month. The tribal members tried to get their misdemeanor charges dismissed after the state failed to turn over key evidence. Other documents were apparently destroyed. The judge handling the case refused to dismiss the case but has rebuked the state. Get the Story:
Jurors tour site of smoke-shop raid (The Providence Journal 2/29)
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Trial to Begin in Tribal Smoke Shop Raid (AP 2/29) Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org Related Stories:
Jury selection in Narragansett smokeshop case (2/26)
Judge won't drop Narragansett smokeshop charges (2/13)
Judge to rule in Narragansett smokeshop raid case (2/12)
Judge blasts state in Narragansett raid case (2/8)
Police files at issue in Narragansett raid case (2/7)
Police turn over e-mails on Narragansett raid (1/29)
State police questioned on Narragansett raid (1/25)
Narragansett smokeshop case awaiting trial (1/18)
Narragansett smoke shop defendants set for trial (1/8)
Narragansett smoke shop case headed to trial (12/21)
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)
