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May 12, 2008

Request for new trial in smoke-shop case delayed

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 was initially scheduled to begin today, but has been rescheduled for June 2. 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 Brandie Jefferson  at 7:19 AM | Permalink

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R.R.H | May 12, 2008 9:23 AM link

paul | May 12, 2008 11:02 AM link

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