The town of Charlestown, Rhode Island, wants its Indian affairs lawyer to argue a land-into-trust case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Joseph Larisa Jr. has been working on the case for more than 10 years. Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) met with town leaders to urge them to back Theodore B. Olson for the November 3 hearing but town leaders refused.

"We made a decision to back Larisa … I have no reason to change my mind," a council member told The Providence Journal.

The state has until October 31 to decide who will argue the case. Larisa has proposed a coin toss but Carcieri refuses.

At issue is whether the Narragansett Tribe can acquire land under the Indian Reorganization Act even though the tribe wasn't recognized at the time of the act's passage in 1934. If the tribe can acquire new lands, the state claims jurisdiction over them.

Get the Story:
Despite Carcieri plea, council backs Larisa (The Providence Journal 10/17)
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Supreme Court Documents:
Docket Sheet | Questions Presented | Order List

1st Circuit Decisions:
En Banc (July 20, 2007) | Panel (February 9, 2005)

Briefs and Other Documents:
Carcieri v. Kempthorne (NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project

Relevant Laws:
Rhode Island Indian Claims Settlement Act (US Code)

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