A trial for two men accused of American Indian Movement activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash is set to begin May 12.

John Graham, a Native man from Canada, and Richard Marshall, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, are charged with first-degree murder. They are accused of killing Aquash on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in December 1975.

Graham wants the indictment against him dismissed because he isn't a member of a U.S.-recognized tribe. He says he can't be tried along with Marshall because he isn't an "Indian" under federal law.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals heard the issue on April 16. Federal prosecutors say Graham can be charged with Marshall for aiding and abetting Aquash's murder.

Arlo Looking Cloud, also Oglala Sioux, is serving a life sentence for Aquash's murder. He is cooperating with prosecutors, CBC News reported.

Get the Story:
U.S. district court upholds previous decision on Pictou-Aquash trial (CBC 4/24)
AIM case awaits several rulings (AP 4/25)

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