Thelma Rios allegedly knew others who wanted Aquash killed

Tuesday, February 22, 2011  

Thelma Rios, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, who admitted her role in the 1975 murder of American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, was apparently willing to provide more details about the case but her death earlier this month could complicate future developments.

In a plea agreement, Rios said she overheard two other people who wanted Aquash to be killed. However, those names have been redacted from court documents, the Associated Press reported.

Prior to her murder, Aquash was staying in Denver, Colorado. In the plea agreement, Rios said she was told by two others to relay a message to have Aquash brought to Rapid City, South Dakota.

Rios admitted that she allowed her home in Rapid City to be used to keep Aquash. Aquash was later taken to the Pine Ridge Reservation, where she was murdered.

Get the Story:
Key witness' death complicates '75 murder case (AP 2/21)

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Thelma Rios, who pleaded guilty for role in Aquash murder, dies (2/11)
Native Sun News: Rios pleads guilty for role in 1975 Aquash case (11/10)