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March 27, 2008

Smoke-shop case: Defense rests, closings Monday

PROVIDENCE -- Closing arguments are set for Monday in the trial of seven Narragansett tribal members accused of resisting and scuffling with state police, who were carrying out a raid at the tribal smoke shop in Charlestown.

The defense rested its case this afternoon after the tribe's chief sachem, Matthew Thomas, took the stand in Superior Court to describe July 14, 2003, raid.

Under cross examination by prosecution late today, Thomas agreed that a 1978 settlement that gave the tribe its land specified that state laws applied on the 1,800 acres.

The Narragansetts opened a tax-free smoke shop on tribal land off Route 2 over Governor Carcieri’s opposition on July 12, 2003.

Two days later, dozens of state troopers later used a search-and-seizure warrant granted by state court to stop the tribe from selling tobacco without charging state taxes. The raid turned violent, and seven Narragansetts, including Thomas, face charges that include resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assault.

Read more about Thomas's testimony today in court.

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

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:21 PM | Permalink

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