Federal grand jury looks into violent pipeline protest clash
BISMARCK, N.D. — A federal grand jury in North Dakota is looking into a violent November clash between Dakota Access pipeline opponents and officers in which a woman was seriously injured.
Steve Martinez, 42, a pipeline protester from Williston, has been ordered to testify regarding the arm injury of Sophia Wilansky, 21, of New York, according to his attorney, Ralph Hurvitz. Protesters maintain she was injured by a grenade thrown by police, while authorities say she was hurt by a small propane tank that protesters rigged to explode.
Grand jury proceedings are closed to the public, but Hurvitz confirmed the nature of Martinez’s subpoena and supplied a copy of a motion he filed to quash it. The document states that “the subpoena further directs him (Martinez) to bring with him information related to the injury of Sophia Wilansky on Nov. 21, 2016, including, but not limited to: photos/SD cards; written statements; any other information within possession.”
Hurvitz’s request was denied Wednesday in a closed hearing. U.S. Attorney Chris Myers said he could not comment on the case because grand jury proceedings are secret.