Rapid City Journal – November 8, 2010
Thelma Rios pleaded guilty Monday to being an accessory to the 1975 kidnapping of American Indian Movement activist Annie Mae Aquash, three weeks before she was scheduled to go on trial on charges related to Aquash’s murder.
Rios, 65, admitted to 7th Circuit Judge Jack Delaney that she had relayed a message in December 1975 to fellow AIM members in Colorado, telling them that Aquash, then 30, was to be brought from Denver to Rapid City. Rios also said she had provided her Rapid City apartment for “purposes related to Annie Mae.”
When Delaney then asked Rios if she had ever heard discussions over whether Aquash — whom some in AIM believed was a government informant — should be “offed,” Rios replied, “Yes, sir.”
Rios spoke in a quiet, steady voice through most of Delaney’s questioning, but sounded teary when she affirmed she was telling the truth.
Aquash’s body was found in the Badlands in February 1976. The Canadian woman had been shot in the head.
Last fall, Rios was charged with premeditated murder and felony murder committed during a kidnapping for her alleged role in the events leading up to Aquash’s death.
Rios’ co-defendant, John Graham, 54, is still scheduled to go to trial Nov. 29 on charges of premeditated murder, felony murder committed during a kidnapping, and felony murder related to rape. Prosecutors believe he raped Aquash in Rios’ apartment.
After pleading guilty Monday, Rios waived her right to wait 48 hours before sentencing. As agreed upon by the prosecution and defense, Delaney then sentenced her to the maximum penalty of five years in prison. The sentence was suspended with the exception of 90 days, with credit given for time already served after Rios was arrested in September 2009. She will be on probation for five years.
Delaney also granted a request by the prosecution and defense to seal Rios unredacted plea agreement.
Rios’ guilty plea means prosecutors can subpoena her to testify at Graham’s trial. If convicted, he would face life in prison.
Another man, Fritz Arlo Looking Cloud, was convicted in federal court in 2004 for his role in Aquash’s death. Richard Marshall was acquitted of murder charges following a federal trial last spring.
Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or Heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com
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