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January 7, 2008

Narragansetts try again to force Carcieri to testify

PROVIDENCE -- Six Narragansett Indians accused of scuffling with state police are making a last-minute attempt to force Governor Carcieri to testify at trial.

The defendants are accused of fighting with police who raided a Narragansett smoke shop on July 14, 2003. They claim police used too much force when making arrests.

Defense lawyers want Carcieri to testify about orders he said he gave to state police instructing them to withdraw if they met resistance from the tribe or its supporters.

Last month, the state Supreme Court ruled that Carcieri's testimony would be irrelevant to a jury.

Lawyers for the Narragansett defendants filed a memo today asking the Supreme Court to revisit its decision. They say that if police ignored Carcieri's orders, it might explain their state of mind.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Jan. 16.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:15 PM | Permalink

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