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February 28, 2008

Jury of 10 men, 6 women picked for smoke-shop case

PROVIDENCE -- A jury of 10 men and 6 women will hear the case the state makes against seven Narragansett Indians charged with resisting and fighting with State Police during the 2003 raid of a tribal smoke shop in Charlestown.

Among jurors are a school principal, an elementary school clerk, a high school English teacher, a special education director, a pest-control company employee, a construction company employee, and an activities director at an assisted-living facility.

This afternoon, the jury is slated to tour the smoke-shop site on tribal land on Route 2.

This week, lawyers questioned each prospective juror about such things as their view on the Narragansett Indian tribe’s casino quest and whether they could accept defense arguments that state troopers might lie under oath.

State police used a search warrant on July 14, 2003, to halt tax-free sale of cigarettes by the Narragansetts at the roadside store. The situation turned violent and seven adult tribal members, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, are on trial in Providence County Superior Court on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction and assault.

Read more about jury selection this week.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 11:27 AM | Permalink

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