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February 25, 2008

Smoke shop trial scheduled to begin today

PROVIDENCE -- Jury selection is scheduled to start today in the trial of seven Narragansett Indians accused of scuffling with State Police who raided a tribal smoke shop in 2003.

But jury selection could be delayed if the state's highest court acts on a last-minute appeal to delay the trial. Defense lawyers filed the request with the state Supreme Court late Friday afternoon.

They are asking the top court to delay the criminal trial so a computer expert can scour State Police computers looking for police e-mails about the raid that might have been deleted.

Superior Court Judge Susan E. McGuirl earlier denied their request, saying it's unlikely the e-mails can be recovered.

A court spokesman says the Supreme Court has not decided whether to hear the appeal.

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said Friday that the state expects to be in front of McGuirl on today at 9:30 a.m. ready for the trial.

The defendants, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, were arrested in July 2003 when state police raided the tribe's recently opened smoke shop, which was not collecting state taxes, on tribal land in Charlestown.

-- The Associated Press and projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Jack Perry  at 7:02 AM | Permalink

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Concerned Person | February 25, 2008 9:59 AM link

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