Williams v. State

OPINION OF THE COURT

Mahoney, P. J.

In 1974 the Oneida Indian Nation of New York brought suit against claimants in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York seeking a declaration that it had the right to occupy and possess land held by claimants, and an order removing claimants from the land and damages for trespass and wrongful withholding of possession of the lands. Ten years later by letter dated October 1, 1984, claimants’ counsel wrote to the Governor and demanded that he employ counsel and provide for claimants’ defense in the Federal action pursuant to State Law…