By Katie Mulvaney
PROVIDENCE —The former superintendent of the state police testified yesterday that Governor Carcieri did not order him to withdraw troopers if they met resistance when they raided the Narragansett Indian smoke shop in July 2003.
“I was not instructed to withdraw if state police met with any resistance,” retired Col. Steven M. Pare said.
Pare’s testimony in Providence County Superior Court contradicted statements the governor made in the days following the controversial clash. Carcieri repeatedly said he told the state police to retreat if they encountered opposition.
Defense lawyers yesterday planned to subpoena the governor to testify.
“At the advice of the lawyer handling the case for the state, we will have no comment at this time on former Colonel Pare’s testimony,” said Jeff Neal, Carcieri’s spokesman. The governor is being represented by Marc DeSisto.
State police executed a search warrant on the roadside shop on tribal land in Charlestown on July 14, 2003, at the governor’s orders, after learning the tribe was selling cigarettes without charging Rhode Island taxes. The raid disintegrated into a widely televised, violent confrontation when tribal members resisted troopers. Seven adult Narragansetts, including Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas who attended yesterday’s hearing, were arrested on misdemeanor charges that included resisting arrest, obstruction and assault.
Want to know more? Click here:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment