Rhode Island governor doesn't want to testify about raid

Friday, August 10, 2007  

Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) is appealing a judge's order that requires him to testify about the state's raid of the Narragansett Reservation.

Carcieri approved the July 14, 2003, raid in order to shut down a tribal smokeshop. He claims he told the state troopers to withdraw if they encountered resistance.

That didn't happen and state troopers violently clashed with tribal members. Seven people -- including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas -- were arrested and they face a trial on disorderly conduct, assault and resisting arrest charges.

Former Col. Steven M. Pare, who was in charge of the state troopers, already testified that Carcieri never gave the withdrawal order. The judge says Carcieri can be questioned only about his instructions to Pare in the days leading up to the raid.

Get the Story:
Carcieri appeals order he testify on smoke-shop raid (The Providence Journal 8/10)
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Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org

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