Whale killers must pay

Makah Tribe vows to punish whale killers

Delegation makes pledge to senators in D.C. meetingMicah McCarty, a tribal councilman and spokesman for the delegation, said the delegation told the senators and officials that the tribe "denounced the actions of the five and will prosecute them to the fullest extent of our laws."

Under tribal law, McCarty said at a news conference, the perpetrators face a range of possible charges, including the illegal discharge of firearms, animal cruelty and violation of the tribe's whaling laws.

They also face possible federal charges.

Tribal leaders Tuesday forced two of the five individuals to resign as members of the tribe's whaling commission, he said.