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April 28, 2008

New trial request postponed in smoke-shop case

The Superior Court has put off hearing a request by defense attorneys for a new trial in the case of Narragansett tribe members arrested during a police raid on a tribal smoke shop.

The motion hearing has been rescheduled for May 12. No reason was given for the postponement.

The case stemmed from a July 2003 state police raid on a Narragansett Indian smoke shop that was selling cigarettes tax free.

The raid on tribal land turned violent, and seven adult Narragansetts were arrested.

On April 4, after a six-week trial in Providence County Superior Court, a jury found Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas guilty of assaulting a state trooper, but acquitted him of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

In addition, the jury found Tribal Councilman Hiawatha Brown of assaulting a trooper and also of disorderly conduct. He was acquitted of resisting arrest. First Councilman Randy Noka was found guilty of disorderly conduct, while being cleared of resisting arrest.

The jury cleared four tribal members altogether.

Extra: Our full report on the raid and trial

Posted by Jack Perry  at 9:45 AM | Permalink

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