McLOUD - The jury trial for several women involved in the 2003, two-week occupation of a Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma administration building was postponed again this week.
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More than 100 tribal members were sent notifications last month to be part of the jury pool in Tuesday's criminal trial against Auchee Wahpepah, Juanita Prado, Valentina Jimenez and Glenda Deer. The four have pleaded not guilty in tribal court to charges of trespassing and burglary.
Last week, some tribal members reported receiving letters stating the proceeding had been changed to a bench trial and they need not appear.
According to court records, Tribal Judge Darrell Dowty canceled the jury trial March 30, because the defendants had not filed a written request for a jury trial and had not paid a required deposit for the jury.
Silas Wolf, the women's attorney, said his clients have made it known since their arrest that they wanted a jury trial and have never been notified that a deposit was necessary. He said he's unsure if the deposit is $100, or $100 for each defendant.
"Either way, it's excessive and a violation of their civil rights," Wolf said.
By Ann Weaver
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