Tribe member appeals conviction in smoke shop case
12:10 PM Fri, Jun 27, 2008 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE -- A Narragansett tribe member has appealed his conviction for assaulting state police who raided a tribal smoke shop in 2003. A defense attorney for Hiawatha Brown says he filed notice this week that Brown will appeal his conviction on misdemeanor disorderly conduct and simple assault to Rhode Island's Supreme Court. Attorney William Devereaux says Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas and tribe member Randy Noka may also appeal their convictions. The three men were arrested for scuffling with state police who raided a tribal smoke shop in Charlestown that was not collecting state taxes. A federal appeals court later ruled the shop was operating illegally. Brown received a one-year suspended sentence and probation and was ordered to take anger management counseling. Read a special report on the smoke shop case. -- The Associated Press 
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i have followed this case albiet loosely from the onset.
i would have to say that Chief Thomas and Mr Noka have always carried themselves in a dignified manner.
understanding the implication of accepting a sentence for something which should never have happened, i would like to ask the peoples involved to look at it in another light.
perhaps the sentence, if it must be carried out, may be your destiny in all of this. to be afforded the opportunity to share your (Tribe's) story, history, and future dreams, might just end up being your legacy.
if i understand correctly, the Chief Sachem is the steward of his people for the duration of his position, and during that reign he has the chance to enact certain changes that will impact the Tribe long after he is gone.
perhaps the gifts of knowledge and understanding will be Chief Thomas' legacy.
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GUILTY.
Having asked for and received light sentences due to it affecting their abilities to represent the tribe (a purely racist request), they still want more. For choking out police officers they were sentenced to teach RI children for 150 hours on how to portray yourself as the victim, why would they ask for more. They are always asking for more.
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