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February 25, 2008

Smoke-shop trial: Nearly all potential jurors know of raid

PROVIDENCE — Jury selection in the Narragansett Indian tribe smoke-shop case is slow going today in Providence County Superior Court.

Seven Narragansett Indians, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, face charges that they resisted and fought with state police executing a search warrant on a tribal smoke-shop in July 2003.

Troopers raided the roadside store in Charlestown to stop the tribe from selling cigarettes without charging taxes.

Of the 120 prospective jurors called, almost all raised their hand when asked if they had heard or read about the raid. Dozens, too, said that the trial’s expected month-long time frame poses a hardship.

Judge Susan E. McGuirl is questioning each about their concerns as she tries to winnow the pool with prosecutors and defense attorneys. She released more than a dozen from consideration this morning, saying the four-week trial would represent a significant financial burden to them.

The selection continues this afternoon. The trial is expected to last about a month.

Earlier today, the state Supreme Court turned down a request from the defendants to delay the trial.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 2:20 PM | Permalink

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