Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Arguments for motions for a new trial for the three Narragansett Indians convicted of misdemeanor charges related to the state police smoke-shop raid were postponed to June 11 to give lawyers more time to prepare, a court spokesman said today

The arguments had been scheduled for Monday.

A Providence Superior Court jury found Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas guilty of assaulting a state trooper during a six-week trial. Two other tribal members were also convicted of misdemeanor crimes, while four Narragansetts were acquitted altogether.

State police executed a search warrant on the roadside shop on tribal land in Charlestown July 14, 2003, to stop the Narragansetts from selling cigarettes without charging Rhode Island taxes.

The raid descended into a confrontation in which eight Narragansetts were arrested. Charges against a juvenile were dismissed in Family Court. The seven other tribal members were tried earlier this year

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.