BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to reject a request for evidence to be returned to a New York City woman who suffered a serious arm injury in an explosion while protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota.
Prosecutors contend authorities properly obtained the shrapnel and clothing from Sophia Wilansky while she was hospitalized following her November 2016 injury. They also say the evidence could be key to a criminal investigation into the violent clash.
Police maintain the explosion that injured Wilansky was caused by a propane canister demonstrators rigged to explode. Protesters contend it was caused by a police concussion grenade.
Wilansky hopes having the shrapnel and clothing will bolster a civil rights lawsuit she plans to file.
U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina Wright has scheduled a May 24 hearing on the evidence dispute.
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