Court denies jail release for Navajo official's wife


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FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation Supreme Court is denying a petition for the release of a jailed tribal official's wife who has refused to answer questions about a discretionary fund case.

The Farmington Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/1SHB7pu) the court met Friday on the petition concerning Mitzie Begay, who has been jailed in Window Rock, Arizona since Monday.

Mitzie Begay has repeatedly invoked spousal privilege in a case against her husband, Navajo Nation Council Delegate Mel R. Begay.

In their decision, the justices say Mitzie Begay can get out of her contempt charge by answering questions prosecutors say would not violate spousal privilege.

Mel Begay is accused of misusing $30,000 from a slush fund designed to help tribal members.

His trial is set to begin next week.

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Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com

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