Narragansett smoke shop defendants set for trial

Tuesday, January 8, 2008  

Seven members of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island are set to go to trial this month, more than three years after state troopers raided the reservation to shut down a smoke shop.

Jury selection is slated to start January 16. Oral arguments are expected six days later, The Providence Journal reported.

But six of the defendants are asking the state Supreme Court to revisit an issue in the case. They want Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) to testify about his involvement in the raid.

Carcieri ordered the raid but the former head of the state troopers had disputed the nature of the order. Carcieri said he told the troopers to withdraw if they encountered resistance but that didn't happen on July 14, 2003.

The Supreme Court ruled that Carcieri didn't have to testify but the six defendants -- including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas -- have asked for a rehearing.

Get the Story:
Narragansett Indians Want Carcieri to Testify (AP 1/8)
Smoke-shop trial set to start Jan. 16 (The Providence Journal 1/3)
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Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

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