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Wednesday, December 3, 2003

A federal judge in Colorado has found that communications with an Indian medicine man are subject to the same confidentiality rules on clergy of other faiths.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger recognized Robert Cervantes, a Jicarilla Apache medicine man, as clergy. But she said statements made to him by murder defendant Carlos Herrera, a Southern Ute man, are not subject to the confidentiality privilege because they were not made during spiritual counsel.

Herrera is accused of murdering Brenda Chavez, a Southern Ute member.

Get the Story:
Judge finds Indian clergy have privilege in confessions (The Denver Post 12/3)

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Authorities subpoenaed medicine man in murder case (11/20)
Southern Ute tribal member charged with murder (08/12)

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