Update on Anna Mae Aquash Murder Trial

Murder Suspect John Graham

Murder Suspect Richard Marshall

KTIV News (5-20-09) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota reports:

Two appeals pending over the 1975 killing of a Canadian woman on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation will move forward as a combined case.

John Graham and Richard Marshall were set to stand trial last week in Rapid City on charges they committed or aided and abetted the murder of Annie Mae Aquash (AH'-kwash).

But the judge delayed it until the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on whether 1 of the counts against Graham should have been dismissed.

U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley [U.S. Department of Justice, District of South Dakota] appealed the dismissal of that charge that is similar to a count that was thrown out from an earlier indictment, which he also appealed.

Instead of handling both appeals separately, the 8th Circuit filed an order Tuesday granting a request to consolidate them.