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March 5, 2007

Smoke shop cases transferred to Providence

PROVIDENCE -- The criminal cases of the Narragansett Indians arrested in the state police raid on a tribal smoke shop in July 2003 have been transferred to Providence Superior Court.

Presiding Superior Justice Joseph F. Rodgers Jr. issued the ruling this morning after lawyers for the seven defendants requested the change of venue from Washington County Superior Court.

The defense lawyers argued that the Providence court promises a more impartial and racially varied jury as well as greater convenience.

Rodgers said his ruling relates only to the best use of judicial resources and is not a comment on whether the tribe members could get a fair trial in Washington County.

Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas and six other Narragansetts were arrested on July 14, 2003, for resisting state troopers trying to stop the tribe from illegally selling tax-free cigarettes from a smoke shop on tribal land in Charlestown. Governor Carcieri ordered the raid, which disintegrated into a violent and widely televised confrontation.

No trial dates have been scheduled.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 10:55 AM | Permalink

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