Death watch
Violent acts on tribal lands reflect hopelessness of life on the rez

A backyard in Zuni was the scene of an alleged grizzly murder in January of this year. Authorities believe Floyd Yuselew murdered Tyler Quam and buried his body in the backyard chicken coop of his home. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Brian Leddy

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Among the violent crimes that have taken place on the Navajo Nation during the past year is one that could be the first from an Indian reservation to challenge the constitutionality of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004.

Frederick Beach, 37, of Window Rock, faces two federal counts of first-degree murder and three counts of child abuse for allegedly bludgeoning to death Verlinda Kinsel, 29, on Sept. 17, 2008. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

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