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March 3, 2008

Smoke-shop trial is delayed because juror is sick

PROVIDENCE -- The trial of seven Narragansett Indians charged in the 2003 state police raid of a tribal smoke-shop in Charlestown has been delayed today because a juror is sick.

The trial is slated to resume tomorrow in Providence County Superior Court with state police Sgt. Donald Devine expected to resume testimony in the state's case against the tribal members.

The state police attemped more than four years ago to carry out a search warrant to stop the tribe from selling cigarettes without collecting state taxes. Things turned violent and images of that day were televised.

Tribal members, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, are on trial for misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction and assault.

In Friday's opening statements, a prosecutor told jurors the seven defendants hindered the legal use of a search warrant. But a defense lawyer described what happen as an "assault" and as the unprecedented attempt by the governor "to do the maximum economic harm to the Narragansett Indians."

Read about Friday's testimony in the case.

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

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 11:01 AM | Permalink

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