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Opinion: Artifact sentence a slap in the face
Monday, March 3, 2003
"District Judge John Conway has passed sentence on Santa Fe art dealer Joshua Baer for six charges of violating the Migratory Bird Act (selling prohibited eagle feathers) and three Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act violations (selling objects of cultural and religious patrimony).
As Judge Conway stated when the case broke months ago, he did not think that Baer would do any jail time because the judge was not fond of NAGPRA laws. Judge Conway has proved true to his biased words by sentencing Baer to a mere 100 hours of community service and $675 court fees.
Acoma and San Felipe Pueblo tribal members stated that justice had not been served and that they felt slapped in the face.
To quote Judge Conway on the incident, Joshua Baer was "despicable."
Judge Conway is absolutely right."
Get the Story:
Mateo Romero: The Baer Case: Hand Slap, Face Slap (The Santa Fe New Mexican 3/2) <
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