Lawyers for accused killer of AIM activist Annie Mae Aquash says Denver Police destroyed evidence

The impending trial of Richard Marshall and John Graham for the 1975 murder of Native-American activist Annie Mae Aquash (also known as Annie Mae Pictou Aquash) will take place in South Dakota -- but the Denver Police Department's been invoked by Marshall's attorney. He accuses the DPD of destroying evidence...

By Michael Roberts

August 20, 2009

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The impending trial of Richard Marshall and John Graham for the 1975 murder of Native-American activist Annie Mae Aquash (also known as Annie Mae Pictou Aquash) will take place in South Dakota -- but the Denver Police Department's been invoked by Marshall's attorney. He accuses the DPD of destroying evidence that might have helped his client; presumably, the information is connected to Arlo Looking Cloud, a man already convicted in connection with the Aquash slaying, who once lived in Denver.

The case has gotten little attention in these parts, at least lately, despite the Colorado connection. However, Aquash remains a hero to members of the American Indian Movement, and her admirers have constructed an enormous web archive devoted to her work, and to bringing her killers to justice. Learn more, much more, about the Looking Cloud trial by clicking here. And this affiliated site contains additional information about a woman whose killing remains a subject of controversy more than three decades after the fact.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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