Prosecutor's Dismissal Raises Questions About Tribal Power

Saturday, February 3rd 2007, 2:25 pm

By: News On 6

CONCHO, Okla. (AP) A state judge says he may consider a contempt citation against the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes' executive branch over a dispute over how much power a new constitution gives the tribes' governor.

Governor Darrell Flyingman fired tribal prosecutor Charles Morris earlier this week, leaving no one to represent the tribe for a court docket yesterday.

That forced Judge Charles Tripp to postpone several cases until next week, including a child welfare case involving a parent accused of neglecting her children.

Tripp says the tribes' constitution isn't clear on who can hire and fire the prosecutor, although there are indications that it is the tribal legislature's job. The judge says he'll consider a contempt citation if the prosecutor situation isn't resolved soon.