John Graham trial moved to September March 12, 2008

John Graham trial moved to September

By Heidi Bell Gease, rapid City Journal staff
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The murder trial of John Graham has been rescheduled for Sept. 23 at the request of Graham’s attorney.

Graham, 52, of British Columbia was supposed to go on trial here June 17 in U.S. District Court for the fatal shooting of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, a fellow American Indian Movement member who died on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in December 1975.

Graham’s attorney, John Murphy, filed a motion Feb. 28 asking that the trial be delayed, saying he needed more time to prepare. According to the motion, the government had already provided Murphy with more than 4,200 documents and 112 audio tapes of witness interviews.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol, who will preside over Graham’s trial, has rescheduled the trial to Sept. 23. Graham has agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial.

Another man charged in Aquash’s death, Fritz Arlo Looking Cloud, was convicted of first-degree murder after a 2004 trial in Rapid City.

He was sentenced to life in prison.