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http://www.newsok.com/news/tribes/
Kickapoo judge dismisses charges against 3 women
By Ann WeaverThe Oklahoman
A tribal judge Wednesday dismissed criminal trespassing charges against three women related to their
two-week occupation of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma's administration building earlier this year. Kickapoo Attorney General Geri Wisner-Foley blamed a "technicality" for the dismissal of the charges against Auchee Wahpepah, Valentina Jimenez and Glenda Deer. She declined to identify the technicality. Deer said incomplete court records prompted the ruling. She said among other items, no documentation existed in their case file to prove the three had ever been arraigned. Wisner-Foley took over the case after the recent resignation of Greg Bigler as the tribe's attorney general. The case was dismissed at her request without prejudice, giving her the option to refile charges against the women. Wisner-Foley said she has not decided whether she will refile the charges. Wahpepah, Jimenez and Deer spent Christmas and New
Year's Day barricaded inside the building, two miles north of McLoud off State Highway 102. The women entered the tribal headquarters Dec. 14 through an unlocked door. They vowed to remain inside until federal authorities agreed to audit the tribe's finances and remove tribal Chairman Tony Salazar from office. Tribal police forced their way into the building Jan. 2 and arrested the women. Deer said even though their demands were not met, they don't believe their effort was in vain.
Tribal court charges women for headquarter seizure
2004-01-31By Ann Kelley
The OklahomanMcLOUD -- Criminal trespassing charges were filed Wednesday in tribal court against the three women who stayed barricaded for two weeks inside the Kickapoo Tribe's administration building. Auchee Wahpepah, Valentina Jimenez and Glenda Deer were arrested Jan. 2 when tribal police forced their way into the building, about two miles north of McLoud on State Highway 102. The women entered the tribal headquarters Dec. 14 through an unlocked door. They vowed to remain inside until federal authorities agreed to audit the tribe's finances and remove Tony Salazar as tribal chairman. He eventually was removed, and is appealing his ouster. Kickapoo Attorney General Greg Bigler said the tribe's criminal codes do not designate felonies or misdemeanors. If the women are found guilty, they could be fined up to $250 and sentenced to up to two months in a county jail. Wahpepah said she learned of the charges Wednesday while she waited outside the tribe's courtroom to approach Bigler about getting their bail money back. Supporters posted $100 bail Jan. 2 at the Lincoln County jail for each of the women. "Since no charges had been filed, we were going to meet there and try to get the money back," she said. "I sat down to wait for him (Bigler) to come out of court and someone told me my name was on the docket." Wahpepah was arraigned Wednesday and pleaded not guilty. She will appear in court again March 12. Deer and Jimenez will be arraigned that day. Bigler said the protesters should have used the court system to accomplish their goals, rather than take over a tribal building. "I really want to see the members use the rule of law," he said. "That's my main concern -- to see that happen now and in the future." The women said they were critical of Bigler's decision to file charges against them because he didn't file charges against a Salazar supporter who was caught breaking into the same building last year to tamper with election board documents. Bigler said charges were not filed because the election board didn't allow the man to seek office in the election. Wahpepah said they will request a jury trial.