Jacobs’ body was found in a ditch along a county road near Vernon, about 15 miles west of Eufaula on Aug. 28, 1999. Testimony at the trial indicated that Jacobs was dragged from a vehicle by three men, who then kicked and punched him before he was attacked with a knife.

A passerby found Jacobs in the ditch with his face bloodied and slashes across his chest and stomach, according to the ruling.

Jacobs’ genitals had been severed and his throat slit. It was estimated that Jacobs bled to death in four to 12 minutes.

Two other tribes filed friend of the court briefs in the case in addition to the Creek Nation — the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

Klint Cowan, who represented the Keetoowah tribe, agreed that the ruling was significant for other tribes.

“It would mean if an Indian committed a (major) crime they would have to be tried in federal court, the Northern District or the Eastern District, whichever one overlaps that part of the reservation.” Cowan said.

Minor crimes would be prosecuted in tribal court, he said.