The U.S. Attorney's Office in South Dakota is objecting to motions to sever the trials of two men accused of murdering American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash.

John Graham, who is from the Southern Tutchone First Nation in the Yukon of Canada, and Richard Marshall, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, say being tried together would be prejudicial. Graham also wants to call Marshall as a witness.

U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley charged both men under the same indictment after questions were raised about Graham's status as an "Indian" under federal law. He says a joint trial will be more efficient.

Aquash, who was Mik'maq from Nova Scotia in Canada, was murdered on the Pine Ridge Reservation in December 1975. Arlo Looking Cloud, an Oglala Sioux, was previously found guilty in connection with her death and is serving a life sentence.

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