US vs LEONARD PELTIER TRIAL TRANSCRIPT EXCERPTS Case Number CR77-3003

 LEONARD W. SCHUMACHER, CAR SALESMAN, RICE MOTORS RAPID CITY

VOLUME 3

MR. CROOKS:  The United States will call next Mr. {440} Leonard W. Schumacher.
 LEONARD W. SCHUMACHER, being first duly sworn, testified as follows:
 DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. CROOKS:
 Q  Mr. Schumacher, would you again repeat your name for the record, please.
 A  Leonard Schumacher.
 Q  And what is your occupation, Mr. Schumacher?
 A  I'm a car salesman.
 Q  Where do you work?
 A  I work at Rice Motors, Rapid City.
 Q  And what kind of cars do you sell there?
 A  We sell Toyota and Honda.
 Q  Pardon?
 A  Toyota and Honda.
 Q  Do you have a used car line that goes along with that?
 A  Yes, we do.
 Q  Calling your attention back to May of 1975, were you employed by Rice Motors at that time?
 A  Yes, sir.
 Q  And calling your attention to specifically May 19th of that day, did you sell a 1967 Ford?
 A  Yes, sir.
 Q  I'd like to show you Exhibit No. 45D and ask if you can identify that.
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 A  Yeah. That's an order I wrote up.
 Q  What is it for?
 A  For a '67 Ford Galaxie two-door.
 Q  And does it show who, now without going into the details, does it show who it was sold to?
 A  Sold to John --
 Q  Don't read it. Just say does it show that?
 A  Yes, it does.
 Q  Does it show who it was sold to?
 A  Yes, it does.
 Q  It gives a serial number and so forth for the vehicle?
 A  Yes, it does.
 Q  I'll also hand you Exhibit No. 45E and ask if that's something you can identify.
 A  Yes, it is.
 Q  And is that again a record of Rice Motors pertaining to the same sale of a 1967 Ford?
 A  Right. That is.
 Q  And I would ask you generally with regard to these two exhibits, they are records of Rice Motors, are they not?
 A  Right.
 Q  And they were given to the FBI pursuant to government Subpoena?
 A  Yes, they were.
 Q  And is there any difference with regard to these items {442} other than the obvious discoloration by being laboratory treated as opposed to the condition they were in at the time you last saw them?
 A  No, they're not.
 MR. TAIKEFF:  The authenticity of the documents is not in dispute, nor will there be any objection to their offer.
 THE COURT:  Very well.
 MR. CROOKS:  I will offer at this time, in that case, Exhibits 45D and E.
 THE COURT:  45D and 45E are received in evidence.
 Q  (By Mr. Crooks) Now you can relate, if you would, what is the name of the individual to whom this vehicle was sold?
 A  John Yellow Robe.
 Q  Is that the name he gave you at the time of the transaction?
 A  Yes, it is.
 Q  I would show you a picture which has been introduced into evidence as Exhibit 13B and 13A and ask whether or not that in fact appears to be the same vehicle described in the papers you just discussed?
 A  Yes. It looks to me like the same car. I can't tell the color, I mean, on these pictures here.
 Q  It would appear to correspond, would it not, with the general description which is contained on your form?
 A  Yes, it does.
 Q  All right. I would now like to show you for identification {443} Exhibit No. 45B and ask if that is a document you can identify. Now again don't go into the details, just say what it is, if you can identify it.
 A  Yes, I can.
 Q  What does it purport to be?
 A  Well, it's a form that's, the buyer takes to the County Treasurer wherever he applies for his license.
 MR. TAIKEFF:  No objection to this offer, Your Honor.
 MR. CROOKS:  Well, if Counsel has no objection, I will offer 45B at this time.
 THE COURT:  45B is received.
 Q  (By Mr. Crooks) That would be the customer's copy, would it not?
 A  Yes.
 Q  And that would be retained with him?
 A  Right.
 Q  Or whatever he wished to do with it?
 A  Right.
 Q  It wouldn't be retained by your company?
 A  No. No.
 Q  I then show you 45C and ask if you can identify the type of document that is.
 A  Yes. It's an application for title.
 Q  And what function does this serve in the state of South Dakota?
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 A  Well, it's to obtain their license.
 Q  So this would be a document which is filled out and turned in to some state official?
 A  Right.
 Q  Would this be correct?
 A  Right.
 MR. TAIKEFF:  No objection.
 MR. CROOKS:  We'll offer 45C.
 THE COURT:  45C is received.
 Q  (By Mr. Crooks) Would you have a part in filling out this yourself?
 A  No, I wouldn't.
 Q  So this would be something he would obtain from a proper state official and fill it out and send it in for a license plate or a title?
 A  Well, that I can't say whether it's made out in the office with this or whether that is --
 Q  Might be either way?
 A  Yes.
 Q  You might help the guy fill it out or he might get it done through the state official?
 A  Right.
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 Q  In any event this would tie up with a vehicle he was attempting to get registered?
 A  Yes.
 Q  And does this give the same description which is generally contained on the documents you've identified?
 A  Yes. The serial number's the same.
 Q  All right. Insofar as this document, this would again pertain to a green or a 1957 Ford automobile?
 A  Right.
 Q  Now insofar as this sale was concerned, the individual gave his name as John Yellow Robe, is this correct?
 A  That's right.
 Q  And do you see that individual in the courtroom today?
 A  Yeah, I believe I do.
 Q  And where would he be seated?
 A  Right over there.
 MR., CROOKS:  Let the record show that the witness has identified the defendant in this cause, Mr. Leonard Peltier.
 No further questions.
 MR. TAIKEFF:  No questions.
 THE COURT:  You may step down.
 Mr. Crooks, do you want this witness excused?
 MR. CROOKS:  Oh, yes. I was about to ask if this witness could be permanently excused?
 THE COURT:  You are excused.
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