A federal judge holds a hearing today to discuss the cases of two men accused of murdering American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash.

Judge Lawrence Piersol has already dismissed one charge against John Graham, a Native man from Canada. The judge has indicated he may dismiss the other two charges because Graham is not "Indian" under federal law.

The removal of Graham as a defendant could affect the case against Richard Marshall, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Grahm wants the trial to start as originally scheduled on May 12 but Marshall wants a 60-day delay.

U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley wanted Graham and Marshall to be tried together but he is no longer opposing separate trials.

Aquash, who was MI'kmaq from Canada, was murdered on the Pine Ridge Reservation in December 1975.

Get the Story:
Delay possible in 1975 Pine Ridge AIM slaying (AP 5/5)

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Aquash murder defendant seeks release until trial (4/10)
BIA official's link to informant raised in Aquash case (4/1)
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