RAPID CITY, S.D.—A judge in the case of a South Dakota man accused in the 1975 killing of an American Indian activist ruled against a mistrial after a witness said the defendant was an enforcer for AIM leader Russell Means.
Richard Marshall is charged with aiding and abetting in the death of Annie Mae Aquash. He’s being tried in federal court in Rapid City.
Defense attorney Dana Hanna asked for a mistrial after Arlo Looking Cloud testified he was afraid of Marshall because he was an enforcer for Means and had served time for murder. Hanna said the government had agreed it would only briefly discuss Marshall’s 1976 murder conviction.
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol said the response was not solicited by the government and the question was reasonable and asked in good faith.
