"PURPLE RIBBONS FOR JUSTICE FOR MELVIN"
The State of Rhode Island vs. Lloyd Lance Comer

DEAR FRIENDS:
In the interests of time while we process much material post-Trial, I am forwarding a letter from one of our friends just received, which is self-explanatory. Copies of this letter have gone to Governor Almond, to
Attorneys General Whitehouse, Coyne, Ferland, Goulart, and to the
Superintendant of RI Police, Col. E. Culhayne.

At the bottom of Rachel Carey-Harper's letter is a list of e-mail addresses you might consider writing to regarding the Melvin Coombs case, forwarding copies to others of your choice. Please also continue to watch the press, local and national, and keep in touch with your Tribal Council friends, as more information is offered on the Melvin Coombs homicide. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, I will try my best to answer them at:
dbewley@gis.net . Tobautnae, and love. Dorna (Bewley).

Dear Governor Almond,

I am writing out of great confusion and concern. I was under the impression that if a person is murdered the police investigate until a likely suspect is found and there is sufficient evidence. Then, the person is arrested and brought to trial by jury, prosecuted by a district attorney and presided  over by an impartial judge.

However, in the case of Mashpee Wampanoag Melvin Coombs, at least according to the newspapers, that doesn't seem to have occurred. Not only  does it seem like justice hasn't been done but a murderer is free and as far  as I can tell nothing is being done about it.

Why aren't you doing your job? I just don't understand. If it was Comer's body (or that of a Kennedy boy) that was found beaten to death on Coombs'  property and Melvin Coombs was the last person to see him alive can you in complete honesty claim that the outcome would have been the same?
Could it be that you have let your prejudice and fear get the better of  you? In a few short years the population throughout this country is going to  be predominantly people of color. Is this the type of legal system you want  your children and grandchildren to face; where "one more dead white" is no big deal? Perhaps you think that decisions and attitudes like yours will actually ensure that privilege will remain in white hands. South Africa proved that it can only last so long. Besides there is a moral and spiritual price to pay. As a white person with family in Rhode Island, I don't want to be responsible for such a debt. I also am troubled and frightened by the prospect of the future that such behavior creates.

Eventually what comes around goes around. What sort of tomorrow are you creating? Will your descendants be proud or ashamed? How will you account for yourself before the Creator? Or do you just not care?
Sincerely yours,
Rachel Carey-Harper
P.O. Box 585
Dennis, MA 02638

"JUSTICE FOR MELVIN COOMBS"

Dear Friends:
THIS IS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT TOMORROW - THURSDAY, MAY 6TH - IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY FOR US ALL TO BE AT COURT by 9:00AM .

"The State of Rhode Island vs. Lloyd Lance Comer"
Court #3 - Judge Willliam J. Dimitri
Wakefield Superior Court
Rte.1, Wakefield, Rhode Island.
Tel: 1-401-782-4139
(Rte #95 south from Providence, then Rte.#4, then Rte.#1)

JUDGE WILL BE ISSUING A DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE DEFENSE HAS PROVED ITS MOTION TO DISMISS THE CASE ON THE BASIS OF INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
PLEASE BE AT COURT AT 9:00am FOR THIS DECISION. WE ARE REMINDED THAT THE DOORS TO COURT ROOM #3 WILL BE LOCKED BY 9:30AM AND THEREAFTER THERE WILL BE NO ADMISSION. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ON TIME.

At 9:00am we will have prayers, and please feel free to wear whatever you
feel comfortable in, including regalia if you wish. Tobautnae and love,
from Dawn (whose e-mail service is still down). Feel free to telephone
1-401-539-7795, AND to forward this message. -db

DEAR FRIENDS:

TOMORROW, MAY 5th, COURT RECOMMENCES AT 9:30AM AT

Court #3 - Judge William Dimitri
Wakefield Superior Court
McGrath Judicial Complex
Rte. #1, Wakefield, RI.
Tel: 1-401-782-4139
(#95 South from Providence, then Rte.#4, then Rte.#1)

PROSECUTORS WILL BE GIVING CLOSING ARGUMENTS TOMORROW: THANK YOU
FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT IN THAT COURT ROOM.

DEAR FRIENDS:

MONDAY MAY 3RD IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY FOR US TO BE IN THE COURTROOM.
IT'S THE LAST DAY OF THE PROSECUTION WITNESSES. THE B.C.I. WTINESSES WILL
BE ON THE STAND AND THE PROSECUTION WILL GIVE THEIR CLOSING STATEMENTS FOR
THE TRIAL. Again we need and appreciate all your support in the courtroom
tomorrow, Monday, May 3rd. Court begins at 11AM.

The State of Rhode Island vs. Lloyd
Lance Comer
Court #3 - Judge William J. Dimitri

Wakefield Superior Court
McGraith Judicial Complex,
Rte. #1,
Wakefield, RI.
Tel: 1-401-782-4139
(Rte.#95 south from Providence, to
Rte.#4, to Rte.#1)

THERE WILL BE NO COURT ON TUESDAY, MAY 4th. THE DEFENSE WILL PUT ON THEIR  FIRST WITNESS ON WEDNESDAY, May 5th.
Thank you all for bringing your support to Melvin's case tomorrow. db

THURSDAY April 29th, 1999 LATE
"JUSTICE FOR MELVIN COOMBS" - TRIAL PROCEEDINGS.

DEAR FRIENDS: (We are experiencing slight delays in transmission...)
THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO CONVEY IMMEDIATELY IS THAT THERE WILL BE - we are told -ONLY 2 DAYS MORE OF TESTIMONY:
TOMORROW, FRIDAY, APRIL 30th (9:45AM) and MONDAY, MAY 3rd, 9:45am AT:
Court #3, (Judge William J. Dimitri)
Wakefield Superior Court
McGraith Judicial Complex
Rte. #1, Wakefield, Rhode Island. (#95 South
from Providence, then Rte.#4, thenRte.#1)
Tel: 1-401-782-4139

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT TUESDAY May 4th, THERE WILL BE NO COURT IN THIS
CASE, UNLESS WE ARE ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY.

Dawn Dove's e-mail service is still down; several others are affected .Please help by passing along this message in any way that is appropriate. It is increasingly difficult to transmit current press statements now, and court proceedings seem to be sharply condensing after today, so an article from the "Providence Journal" are sent below, in an accessible format.
Please continue to e-mail or dawndove@edgenet.net (should her service resume), or dbewley@gis.net if you have questions.

TODAY AT COURT, April 29th, in
THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND vs LLOYD LANCE COMER:
Judge Dimitri was determined to press on fast. We stopped for no afternoon
recesses.
Troopers Borek, John Underhill and Detective Kevin Hopkins of RI State
Police gave testimony regarding their attempts to enlist Comer's cooperation in finding
Melvin Coombs. Judge then decided that he and entire COURTROOM would listen to a 2 hour tape recording of the suspect Comer's interview with Det. Hopkins taken at the Hope Valley Barracks on Friday, March 21st,1997, after Comer declared he had 'found' Melvin Coombs by mistakenly driving over him.Defense Attorney, State Prosecutors Goulart and Neronah, and Det. Hopkins, sat in court while the tape recording of Comer's conversation with the police [after Lance Comer was Mirandized) was played to the court - Comer's family on one side of the courtroom; Dawn, family and friends of Melvin's on the other. Hearing this lengthy, taped interview was unexpected and emotional for us all, as Judge Dimitri listened to denials and apparent delusions about what was done the night of St. Patrick's Day Evening. Comer sat opposite throughout, with no affect. Judge DImitri looked visibly piqued at the finish, and leaving the court, asked for an early start tomorrow. The case has run for two years. So far we have heard from bartender Marie Sailors who overheard the language fo bias conversation between from Comer to Coombs, St. Patrick's Day Evening. Auto Parts dealer Bill Crothers who lives
opposite the Comer property also testified regarding the racial slurs exchanged. It was to Bill Crothers' that Comer said he was towing his vehicle when he drove over the body of Melvin Coombs. Dave Tyler, Comer's immediate neighbour, alleges that he saw Melvin's Sierra pickup parked on Comer's property at Tefft Hill late on St. Patrick's Day Night at 2AM.
CRIME INVESTIGATION REPORTS AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S TESTIMONY AND ADDITIONAL FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST REBUTTAL ARE TO FOLLOW.
WE NEED AND APPRECIATE YOUR ONGOING PRESENCE AT COURT AND YOUR
SUPPORT. THANK YOU FROM US ALL - db

+ + +
+ +
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK: The "PROVIDENCE JOURNAL" at http://www.projo.com. -
"Local News
Section" or "More RI News Stories" when you arrive at their site. You will then usually find an abstract which mentions the Melvin Coombs case, as it is being regularly covered by the "Projo".
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL:

"GO TO: [Local News Section] [More RI News Stories] POST TO:
4.28.99 06:36:23
"BARTENDER TESTIFIES DEFENDANT CALLED VICTIM A RACIAL SLUR
Lloyd Lance Comer, who is on trial for involuntary manslaughter in the March 1997 death of Melvin Coombs, was upset because Coombs crushed his cigarettes, a bartender says.

By ELIZABETH ABBOTT
Journal Staff Writer

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- A loud, tense argument erupted between Lloyd Lance Comer
and Melvin Coombs just hours before Coombs disappeared and was later found dead on Comer's property, a bartender testified yesterday during Comer's manslaughter trial.

``Mr. Comer was very upset because Mr. Coombs crushed his cigarettes,'' said Marie Sailor, who served the two men draft beers and a shot of Irish whiskey each at Tumbleweeds, a Richmond tavern, at about midnight on March 17, 1997.

Comer then said to Coombs, ``What the [expletive] are you? A [expletive and racial slur], an Indian, a white person? What the [expletive] are you?'' Sailor testified.

Coombs was a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

In an effort to defuse the tension, Sailor said she gave Comer a few cigarettes. Shortly afterward, Comer and Coombs left the bar together and drove away in Comer's pickup truck, Sailor said.

A few hours later, Coombs died after suffering 17 broken ribs and three gashes to his face, according to a state medical examiner, who testified at Comer's bail hearing. Alcohol and drug use may have also contributed to his death, Dr. Michael Sikirica said.

Comer, 48, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter and unlawful disposal of a body. He is being tried in Washington County Superior Court before Judge William A. Dimitri without a jury.

Comer told the state police that the last thing he remembers about the early-morning hours of March 18, 1997, was dropping Coombs back off at Tumbleweeds. He said he discovered Coombs's body on his property in Richmond four days later by accidentally driving over it -- it was covered with a tarpaulin -- and dragging it several yards.

The police charged Comer with murder, but a grand jury later reduced the charge to involuntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter means someone is responsible for another's death, but may not have intended it. It is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 30 years, while murder is punishable by life imprisonment.

Yesterday was the second day of Comer's trial. In addition to Sailor, the state called John Reilly to testify. A coworker of Comer's at the time, and a close neighbor, Reilly spent most of March 17 with Comer. The pair went to Connecticut to pick up some hay, then came back at about 3 p.m. for a St. Patrick's Day meal of corned beef and cabbage at Tumbleweeds.

``I consumed a good meal and about three beers,'' Reilly testified.

After the meal, at about 4:30 p.m., Reilly said he went home to sleep. At that time, Comer parked his truck in Reilly's yard and borrowed Reilly's car for the night. When he woke up the next day, Comer's truck was still in his yard, Reilly testified, but he said it looked like it had been moved during the night.

The trial is scheduled to continue today.
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Copyright © 1999 The Providence Journal Company
Produced by http://www.projo.com/

Dear Friends,

Please forward this message URGENTLY to All supporters.  Dawn Dove's E-mail is currently down.

The timetable over the next four days of THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND VS LLOYD LANCE COMER at Wakefield Cuperior Court, Wakefield, RI is as follows:

Court begins at 10:00 am on Thursday and Friday, April 29th and 30th for a full day's hearing each day.  Court resumes at 10:00 am on Monday, May 3rd, for a full day.  There will be NO COURT held on Tuesday, May 4th all day.

Today's article from the "Providence Journal" (4/28/99) titled "Bartender testifies defendant called vicim a racial slur".

We will keep you updated as the trial resumes.  Please telephone 401-539-7795 (Dawn Dove) whose service might be reconnected or e-mail me at dbewley@gis.net in the hope that e-mail service is restored sooner than we anticipate.

Thank you all for attending and supporting Justice for Melvin

TRIAL!
RESUMES THE WEEK OF APRIL 26, 1999 at 10 AM
WILL CONTINUE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS
PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFO @ (401) 539-7795
Purple Ribbons for Justice
Remember Melvin Coombs
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported myself, my family, and more than anything Justice for Melvin. The entire community has reached out during our time of need, and for this I thank each and every one of you. The second annual Melvin Coombs Memorial Walk made my heart feel so Strong with close to 200 family, friends, and supporters walking the healing path for Justice. Now more than ever, I am asking for your support. After 2 long years of fighting for Justice, the case of The State of Rhode Island vs. Lloyd "Lance" Comer has finally come to trial. Unity is Strength, and Strength is in Numbers! I would greatly appreciate all the support in the court room we can receive throughout the trial ahead of us.

Please show your support
MCGRAITH JUDICIAL COMPLEX
ROUTE 1 WAKEFIELD, RHODE ISLAND
wear Purple Ribbons in memory of Melvin and for Justice.

TAUBOTNAE NETOPAUG

DAWN DOVE
390 SUMMIT ROAD
EXETER, RI 02822
e-mail dawndove@edgenet.net

Justice for Melvin-------Court Must Be Delayed-------Mashpee Chief Died

Greetings Friends,

It is with sadness in my heart that must inform you that the Grand Sachem of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation died yesterday.  We will not be able to attend court as scheduled.  Please diseminate this message to family, friends and supporters.   Please call 401-539-7795 for updates.

With Love,

Dawn Dove

Please Pass the Word

Trial will begin on Thursday April 1, 1999----9:30 AM, Route 1, Wakefield, RI, McGraith Judicial Complex, State of Rhode Island v Lloyd Lance Comer

Please show your support for justice for Melvin Coombs at court if at all possible.

No court on Friday April 2, 1999.  There will be a three week recess and the trial will resume the week of April 26 - 30.

Court Update:

No court on Monday.  Trial for Monday March 29 has been cancelled.   The prosecutor will let us know on Monday if Tuesday will be a go.  I will update you for Wednesday and Thursday.

Please call 401-539-7795 for last minute updates on message machine.   Please pass this message on to friends and family.

To Our Brothers & Sisters:

    This is a call for Unity!  Strength is in numbers and we the family and friends of Melvin Coombs are asking you for your support.  Last March over 500 people walked the healing path, and we are honored by the presence of our youth and elders.  This walk is not just for Melvin, it is for all of the people who have suffered injustices.  The Memorial Walk is for the healing of our wounded hearts.  We walk for all of those who we have lost this year, for our past generations and for our future. 

This walk is to let our oppressors know that We Are Still Here and that We Will Overcome.  This Fight for Justice is not over-it has just begun.

We are asking all to spread the word to at least 2 other people and organize car pools.  We will be gathering at 12 noon.  Those unable to physically walk the Memorial (exit 3B off of Rte. 95, Wyoming, RI(old Stop & Shop), we are asking to show their support by parking at both the beginning and end of the walk.   A feast will be served immediately following the walk at Dovecrest:  390 Summit Road---Arcadia Village, Exeter, RI. 

To support Justice for Melvin Coombs, please contact the Dovecrest Cultural Center at (401)539-7795 or e-mail dawndove@edgenet.net

Unity is Strength.  Strength is in Numbers.

Purple Ribbons for Justice

Remember Melvin Coombs
March 21, 1999
401-539-7795

Dear Friends,

This is just a short note to update you on the court proceedings in the case of the State of Rhode Island v Lloyd Lance Comer.

On Thursday, January 21, 1999 a motions hearing was held at Superior Court in Wakefield, RI.
Judge Dimetri held the decisions on all motions filed by the defense.  He submitted his decisions on February 9, 1999.  Another motions date was held on March 3, 1999.   The defense had submitted a motion to dismiss on the grounds of vagueness.   The defense motion was denied.  The calendar call date was March 17, 1999 (Two years after Mel's murder).

The trial date has been scheduled for March 29, 1999 at 2:00 pmat the Superior Court in Wakefield, RI on Route 1,

Please call 401-539-7795 for last minute updates--for the court is prone to make last minute changes.  Is it just to discourage us from appearing in the court room?

Please pass this information out to friends and family.  It is very important that we continue to be in the court room.  We want the court to see Melvin in our eyes and hearts.

Kennupmussitac faced death, and in the face of it he sang the song of the Wampanoag.

With love in our hearts for Mel, let's walk for justice!

Taubotne,
Dawn Dove     390 Summit Road     Exeter, RI   02822

Demonstration for Justice

Wednesday, March 17, 1999, the Native American community and their supporters will be staging a demonstration for Justice.  Two years ago this Wednesday, Melvin Coombs, a Mashpee Wampanoag Indian man was found brutally murdered on Tefft Hill Road in Richmond, Rhode Island----this is now two years later and we are demanding Justice.  The Demonstration will take place at 11am, at 150 South Main Street in Providence, Rhode Island at the Attorney General's office.  That Native American community feels that the Justice System has failed us in the prosecution of this Hate Crime.  From the beginning we told the police and the Attorney General's office that this was a Hate Crime.  That the motive was pure racial hatred--they refused to listen.  Their lack of understanding of the underlying racism in this country directed at minorities and specifically Native Americans, is very far reaching.  If the state of Rhode Island would look to the US Justice Department's Bias Indicator Questions, immediately they would have had an understanding of the situation. (JOHNSONT@ojp.usdoj.gov)  We fear that because of the prosecutor's and the polices' refusal to look at HATE as a motive, the case of First Degree Murder has been extremely weakened.  This has historically been the case wherein the police fail to gather necessary evidence because of their own lack of training in the understanding of HATE as a motive. (let alone any of their own bias that plays a role), thus allowing a first degree murder charge drop to an involuntary manslaughter charge.

Please join with us to make a statement for Justice, on the 17th of March, to inform the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations that we will not stand by while an injustice of such magnitude is allowed to continue.

Call 401-539-7795 for further information.