State v. Pierre

The appellant, an enrolled member of a British Columbia Indian tribe, was convicted of the crime of carnal knowledge in the superior Court of Pierce County. The crime was alleged to have been committed on January 16, 1964, and the proof indicated that the situs of the crime was on property owned by non-Indians but within the boundaries of the original Puyallup Indian reservation.

By this appeal, the appellant questions the jurisdiction of the state court, contending that exclusive jurisdiction lies with the federal government.

In our opinion, the superior court clearly had jurisdiction under…