The federal government now plans to execute Lezmond Mitchell in August. Lezmond is a member of the Navajo Nation. The victims, Alyce Slim and Tiffany Lee, were also tribal members. The crime happened in the Navajo Nation where there is no death penalty. This is federal overreach.

At the time of Lezmond’s trial, the Navajo Department of Justice asked federal prosecutors not to seek the death penalty because capital punishment violates tribal custom and culture. The federal Department of Justice ignored the request. There was only one Native American juror.

The federal government should not be allowed to unilaterally pursue the death penalty for crimes that occur in Indian Country. If a tribal government says NO to the death penalty, that should be the last word. This is a serious tribal sovereignty issue that must be addressed.