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March 11, 2008

Smoke-shop case: Trooper says chief bear-hugged him

State Police Sgt. Ernest C. Quarry said he doesn’t know why Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas was not immediately arrested after allegedly trying to restrain a trooper during the 2003 raid of a tribal smoke shop.

But, Quarry testified today, he did assist in Thomas’s eventual arrest.

Now Thomas and six additional members of the tribe are on trial for misdemeanors stemming from a scuffle that took place after the raid.

Attorney General Patrick Lynch and State Police Supt. Brendan Doherty were in the courtroom as Quarry described his confrontation with Thomas.

Quarry said he was trying to help a trooper whose arm was shut in the shop's door. According to Quarry, Thomas put him in a bear hug and tribal councilman Hiawatha Brown grabbed Quarry’s throat.

Testimony is set to resume early this morning.

Extra: See photos and video of the raid on projo.com

-- with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 12:16 PM | Permalink

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