PLEA DEAL WITH 5 MAKAH WHALERS FALLS APART

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Those defendents are having a whale of a time! Seattle Times, Lynda V. Mapes and Mike Carter, March 24, 2008 Tacoma — A plea agreement expected from five Makah whalers this afternoon fell apart when the whalers realized that the U.S. government planned to restrict their future whale hunts. Federal authorities expected the five tribal members who killed a gray whale during an unlicensed hunt last September to sign off on the plea — which would have kept the whalers from serving jail time. Because they declined to take the plea deal, the whalers still face up to one year in custody, a $100,000 fine, up to five years of probation and possible community service. The five men will return to court Thursday with either a new plea agreement worked out or to make plans for the case to go to trial.**The tribal members — Frankie Gonzales, Wayne Johnson,

Andrew Noel, Theron Parker and William Secor Sr. — were expected to plead guilty to one count of violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a misdemeanor, in return for two years of probation.But they did not because the government had the option of preventing them from whaling while they were on probation. "That's a deal-killer," Johnson said. Sullivan later said he'd be willing to take the potential whaling-rights restriction off the table as the sides continue negotiations. more at:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004302492_webwhalehunt24m.html http://pets.Fortheanimals7/join