Testimony resumes in Narragansett raid case

Wednesday, March 5, 2008  

Testimony in the case of seven members of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island who were arrested during a raid of the reservation continued on Tuesday.

State police Sgt. Donald F. Devine Jr. said he never showed the tribe a search warrant for the July 14, 2003, raid. The papers were presented only after the seven members -- including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, two tribal council members and a tribal police officer -- were arrested.

“I never had a chance to show it," Devine testified, The Providence Journal, amid the confusion at the scene.

About 50 state troopers went to the reservation to shut down a smokeshop. The state said the tribe was selling cigarettes without state tax stamps.

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that the tribe must comply with state laws. The state the moved forward with its prosecution of the tribal members for misdemeanor crimes.

Get the Story:
Sergeant says he never showed search warrant (The Providence Journal 3/5)
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Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

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