Post by blackcrowheart on Jun 27, 2006 12:01:47 GMT -5
Man wanted in American Indian Movement murder ordered extradited to U.S.
June 22, 2006 - 19:12
VANCOUVER (CP) - A former Yukon man wanted in the United States for the
murder of an aboriginal activist 30 years ago was ordered deported
Thursday by the federal justice minister.
John Graham is accused of killing Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, a member of
the American Indian Movement. Aquash, a Mi'kmaq originally from Nova
Scotia, was shot in the back of the head at the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation in South Dakota in 1976.
Graham was arrested in December 2003 for the first-degree murder of
Aquash, a fellow activist in the American Indian Movement.
Terry LaLiberte, one of Graham's lawyers, said Graham feels his fate is
now sealed.
"He's very, very stressed by it, it's a life sentence hanging over his
head," LaLiberte said.
"He saw what happened to his co-accused in the kangaroo court."
Graham's co-accused, Arlo Looking Cloud, was convicted of first-degree
murder two years ago and sentenced to life in prison.
Looking Cloud told FBI agents in a videotaped statement shown in court
that he witnessed Graham kill Aquash. He later recanted, saying he'd
been plied with alcohol and drugs.
Graham has said he had nothing to do with Aquash's death, that the two
met in Minneapolis and struck up a friendship as young AIM members and
fellow Canadians.
LaLiberte said the United States did not properly test any of the
evidence submitted against his client and that he was not permitted to
cross-examine anyone.
Last year, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that Graham should be sent to
the U.S. and now Justice Minister Vic Toews has followed up with an
extradition order.
LaLiberte said a joint appeal will be launched of both the court's
decision and Toews's extradition order.
Lawyer Greg Delbigio, who is also representing Graham, said he expects a
court date for the appeal will be set Friday in the B.C. Court of Appeal
in Vancouver, where he will also seek an extension of Graham's bail.
June 22, 2006 - 19:12
VANCOUVER (CP) - A former Yukon man wanted in the United States for the
murder of an aboriginal activist 30 years ago was ordered deported
Thursday by the federal justice minister.
John Graham is accused of killing Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, a member of
the American Indian Movement. Aquash, a Mi'kmaq originally from Nova
Scotia, was shot in the back of the head at the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation in South Dakota in 1976.
Graham was arrested in December 2003 for the first-degree murder of
Aquash, a fellow activist in the American Indian Movement.
Terry LaLiberte, one of Graham's lawyers, said Graham feels his fate is
now sealed.
"He's very, very stressed by it, it's a life sentence hanging over his
head," LaLiberte said.
"He saw what happened to his co-accused in the kangaroo court."
Graham's co-accused, Arlo Looking Cloud, was convicted of first-degree
murder two years ago and sentenced to life in prison.
Looking Cloud told FBI agents in a videotaped statement shown in court
that he witnessed Graham kill Aquash. He later recanted, saying he'd
been plied with alcohol and drugs.
Graham has said he had nothing to do with Aquash's death, that the two
met in Minneapolis and struck up a friendship as young AIM members and
fellow Canadians.
LaLiberte said the United States did not properly test any of the
evidence submitted against his client and that he was not permitted to
cross-examine anyone.
Last year, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that Graham should be sent to
the U.S. and now Justice Minister Vic Toews has followed up with an
extradition order.
LaLiberte said a joint appeal will be launched of both the court's
decision and Toews's extradition order.
Lawyer Greg Delbigio, who is also representing Graham, said he expects a
court date for the appeal will be set Friday in the B.C. Court of Appeal
in Vancouver, where he will also seek an extension of Graham's bail.