The lawyer and police chief for the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island testified on the 15th day of a trial into the state's raid of the reservation.
Attorney John F. Killoy said he advised the tribe that it had a sovereign right to operate a tax-free smokeshop. He said attempts to address legal issues with the state went nowhere and the tribe expected the dispute to go to federal court.
Instead, the state raided the reservation on July 14, 2003. Seven tribal members -- including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas -- were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Lt. Rodney Champlin, the tribe's acting police chief, said state law enforcement told him they believed the smokeshop was illegal. He said he would shut down the facility under a federal search warrant but the state instead obtained one in state court.
Get the Story:Tribe’s lawyer advised that shop was legal (The Providence Journal 3/25)
pwpwd Related Stories:
Narragansetts mount defense in state raid case (3/21)
Judge upholds charges in Narragansett raid case (3/20)
State rests case in Narragansett raid trial (3/19)
Video of Narragansett raid shown repeatedly at trial (3/7)
State police testify about Narragansett raid (3/6)
Testimony resumes in Narragansett raid case (3/5)
Narragansett smokeshop trial set to resume (3/4)
Narragansett smokeshop trial finally begins (2/29)
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)
