Cherie Lash Rhoades, the former chairwoman of the Cedarville Rancheria of California, made her first appearance in court on Tuesday to face murder and attempted murder charges.

Rhoades, 44, wore a bulletproof vest to the hearing in Modoc County Superior Court, the Associated Press reported. The proceedings are being continued until next Monday because her attorney said he was just given the case.

Rhoades is charged with four counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and charges of child endangerment. She faces the death penalty if she if convicted for killing four people and trying to kill two others at the tribal headquarters, where children were present.

The victims include Rhoades's brother, Chairman Rurik Davis, 50. He had replaced her as leader because she was suspected of stealing tribal funds.

In addition to Davis, authorities say Rhoades killed her niece, Angel Penn, 19, and her nephew, Glenn Calonicco, 30. Shelia Lynn Russo, 47, the tribe's administrator, was also killed.

Two other people were shot and stabbed. They were identified as Davis's daughters, Melissa and Monica.

The incident took place last Thursday at an eviction hearing for Rhoades and her son, Jack Stockton. Contrary to prior reports, Stockton was not present at the proceeding.

Stockton was serving as vice chair but he too was ousted due to concerns about the embezzling of tribal funds.

California falls under Public Law 280 so the state exercises criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country.

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Ex-tribal leader wears bulletproof vest to court (AP 2/25)

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