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Quick trial expected for Canadian accused of Pictou-Aquash slaying

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 | 3:02 PM CT

CBC News

U.S. prosecutors in the trial of Canadian John Graham, who is accused in the decades-old murder of aboriginal activist Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash, say they are aiming for a fair and speedy trial.

A former Yukoner, Graham was living in Vancouver until Thursday, when he was extradited to South Dakota to stand trial in the 1975 slaying of Pictou-Aquash, a Mi'kmaq activist from Nova Scotia. Graham was whisked out of the country hours after the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear his appeal of a lower court ruling granting the extradition.

Graham pleaded not guilty Friday in a court in Rapid City, S.D. A trial date has not been set.

"I don't have an exact time frame of which the trial will occur," South Dakota district attorney Marty Jackley, who is prosecuting the case, told CBC News on Tuesday.

"I mean, it could occur as quickly as within 70 days. However, it would be anticipated that certain motions will be filed in matters that need to be addressed during the process that may toll or delay that time frame."

Jackley said prosecutors will seeking a maximum punishment of life in prison, but they won't be calling for the death penalty.

Pictou-Aquash was shot dead on Dec. 12, 1975, during a time of protests in South Dakota by the American Indian Movement (AIM).

U.S. prosecutors allege Graham killed the 30-year-old woman on orders from AIM because they believed she was an FBI informant.

In protests by the group, two FBI agents had been killed by the demonstrators who had seized control of the village of Wounded Knee.

This story is now closed to commenting.

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