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« Smoke-shop verdict mixed; chief sachem guilty of assault | Today | Photo: Lining up for an end to poverty » April 4, 2008Smoke-shop verdict: Chief says: 'I did what I had to do'
Thomas was found guilty of assaulting a state trooper, but cleared of two other charges, and his tribal members were cleared of most other charges. "I think what happens, happens and we'll see what happens on the 28th," Thomas said, referring to the date Superior Court Judge Susan E. McGuirl set to hear motions. Asked if he fears punishment, Thomas said, "No, no. I did what I had to do..." About an hour later, the office of Governor Carcieri -- who had ordered the raid -- issued this statement: “Governor Carcieri respects the jury's verdict in this case. While the governor had no role in the prosecution or trial, he is satisfied that the rule of law has been affirmed. He also wants to reiterate once again his support for the State Police and the great job they do for the people of Rhode Island.” Another court found that Carcieri did not have to testify in the case. “With the conclusion of this trial, Governor Carcieri hopes that the Narragansett Indian Tribe and the State of Rhode Island can put the smoke shop incident behind us and move forward into a more cooperative future,” his spokesman said in the statement. Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch, whose office prosecuted the case, said, "These were cases that needed to be tried, and we accept the jury's verdict." "We did did our job, just as the state police did their job that day," he said. "Now the jury has done its job." Lynch added: "Whatever has been said -- and too much has been said -- our prosecution has never been about trying to force the defendants to plead to crimes they didn't commit. Our prosecution has simply and solely been about adhering to the process that our criminal-justice system afford us." State Police Col. Brendan Doherty, asked about Thomas's conviction for simple assault, said, "We're obviously interested in people being held accountable." "We believe and felt all along that we were there legally...and the troopers showed great restraint," Doherty said. Full story on the verdict .... -- With reports from projo.com staff writer Mike McKinney Although he was found guilty of simple assault, Thomas was cleared of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. Defendant Hiawatha Brown was found guilty of simple assault and disorderly conduct, but cleared of resisting arrest. Randy Noka was found guilty of disorderly conduct, but cleared of resisting arrest. All others were acquitted of all charges against them. No sentencing date has been set. Posted by Jack Perry CommentsEMT | April 4, 2008 5:36 PM link Isn't this a little extreme? The jury didn't make anything legal or illegal; they simply decided the facts of the case. More importantly, the jury found the two defendants charged with choking a state trooper guilty. In fact, the jury upheld the Troopers' right to be there and not be attacked, but not to provoke people and then arrest them for resisting. Bill | April 4, 2008 10:13 PM 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
What a complete crock of bull. If that wasn't resisting arrest, what is???
This jury just made it legal to choke a state trooper. Congratulations. You just made it MORE dangerous to be a police officer in Rhode Island.