DC Circuit won't reconsider decision in Cherokee Freedmen suit

Wednesday, March 13, 2013  

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals won't reconsider a decision that said the leader of the Cherokee Nation can be sued for by Freedmen descendants.

The tribe asked the court to reconsider its December 14, 2012, decision that allows Chief Bill John Baker to be sued over the citizenship status of the Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves, within the tribe. But the request was rejected on Tuesday, The Native American Times reported.

The tribe could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Get the Story:
Court denies Cherokee appeal on Freedmen ruling (The Native American Times 3/13)

DC Circuit Decision:
Vann v. DOI (December 14, 2012)

Opinion: Cherokee Freedmen controversy goes back a century (02/18)
DC Circuit allows suit against Cherokee chief in Freedmen case (12/14)