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« Trinity Rep wins National Pell Award | Today | Update: 3 more offer Station fire tentative settlements » March 26, 2008Smoke-shop case: Tribal officer contradicts troopers
Journal photoTribal conservation officer Thawn Harris testifies today. "I said, 'You're trespassing,' " Thawn Harris testified this morning, the 16th day of trial for seven Narragansetts accused of resisting and scuffling with state police as they executed a search warrant to stop the tribe from selling tax-free tobacco in July 2003. Harris said he was told by Lt. Rodney Champlin, then the tribe's acting chief, that they were not to let state police on the land without federal papers, meaning a federal warrant. Harris said he stuck up his hand to try blocking Trooper Ann Assumpico as she ran onto the property and that she hit him and pushed him back before Trooper Kenneth Jones flung him into a car. Another trooper then brought Harris to the ground, where, Harris testified, he put his hands up to be cuffed when asked. Harris's testimony about his arrest contradicted earlier testimony by various troopers. Judge Susan E. McGuirl earlier this month acquitted Harris of assaulting a trooper during the fracas, but ruled that the state had produced enough evidence for the jury to consider other counts against him and other tribe members. Harris was the only witness to testify this morning. This afternoon, defendant Adam Jennings took the stand. He was the only one to do so before the court session ended for the day. Tomorrow, Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas may testify. Read full coverage of yesterday's testimony. -- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney Posted by Jack Perry CommentsGary | March 26, 2008 2:05 PM link Ok, Gary. We're going to give them YOUR house. Greg | March 26, 2008 4:46 PM link Who exactly is "we"? I wonder if prior to the white man coming to America, if there were indian tribes that took the land from other indian tribes. Maybe those tribes should give that land back first. Candido | March 26, 2008 7:49 PM link This trial is a disgraceful display of the overwhelming power of the state against a group which has suffered ongoing humiliations for years. The news video clearly shows that the state police rushed onto tribal land like storm troopers. Why wasn't a warrant shown to tribal police when asked for? Why has not any court seen fit to dismiss these charges? Why wasn't the governor required to explain his public statement which differed from that of the state police? All long-time Rhode Islanders know the answer: corruption. Jim | March 26, 2008 9:11 PM link To be an American Indian today is not to live free (free from local laws, free to roam, or free from taxes). To be a native Indian (Pre-America) was to live free. Tribal members need to do as they are told by tribal leaders and elders, or they could be asked to leave the group. Today people on or off an Indian Reservation will follow orders, laws and roles that are written or unwritten. Officer Harris is a good man with a job to protect and serve on a unique piece of tribal land that requires two sets laws. The Chief and the Governor got legal counsel before assigning an order to staff and officers. The only person that is free today is the Rhode Island governor. He has a free pass from testifying. All but the Chief should be acquitted of all charges. Chief Sachem and the Governor should go head to head with lawyers. Part of the sentencing could be that both leader being at fault, due to legal counsel or self arrogance will do one thousand hours of community service in each others backyard. Can you see the Governor working in Charlestown on The RES, repenting for his wrongs he committed to his local sovereign nation and the pride of its people? Dale Brown | March 27, 2008 6:04 AM link To be an American Indian today is not to live free (free from local laws, free to roam, or free from taxes). To be a native Indian (Pre-America) was to live free. Tribal members need to do as they are told by tribal leaders and elders, or they could be asked to leave the group. Today people on or off an Indian Reservation will follow orders, laws and roles that are written or unwritten. Officer Harris is a good man with a job to protect and serve on a unique piece of tribal land that requires two sets laws. The Chief and the Governor got legal counsel before assigning an order to staff and officers. The only person that is free today is the Rhode Island governor. He has a free pass from testifying. All but the Chief should be acquitted of all charges. Chief Sachem and the Governor should go head to head with lawyers. Part of the sentencing could be that both leader being at fault, due to legal counsel or self arrogance will do one thousand hours of community service in each others backyard. Can you see the Governor working in Charlestown on The RES, repenting for his wrongs he committed to his local sovereign nation and the pride of its people? Dale Brown | March 27, 2008 6:43 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
I just wish our government would allow the Native American tribes live free. We took their land no matter how you want to look at it and for what we "gave them" "allowed" them to have it seems only fair that they have sovereign land.