Thursday, Aug. 30, 2001

Federal judge refuses chieftain's request

By the Herald staff

U.S. Magistrate Judge John Jelderks this week denied a request by a Samoan chieftain to become an official party in the Kennewick Man case.

Joseph Siofele, a k a Paramount Chieftain Faumuina, recently asked the magistrate for permission to claim the ancient bones found in Kennewick five years ago. He lives in Southern California and claims to be a descendant of Kennewick Man and wants the remains turned over to him.

Jelderks said Siofele's request was too late - by at least a year. "Granting Faumuina's application to intervene would likely result in several years of additional administrative and judicial proceedings," the judge said, without indicating when he would render his decision on whether American Indians or scientists should get the bones.