Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Jury selection opens in Bundy brothers takeover case in Oregon

By Reuters 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Ammon and Ryan Bundy are seen in police jail booking photos released by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) – Jury selection began on Wednesday in the case of ranchers Ammon and Ryan Bundy and five other anti-government activists who led an armed 41-day takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The seven defendants are charged with conspiracy to impede federal officers and possession of firearms in a federal facility during the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, about 300 miles (483 km) southeast of Portland.

Advertisement

Once a jury is seated, opening arguments are expected to begin next week in the federal courthouse in Portland.

The takeover of the wildlife refuge was the latest flare-up in a decades-old conflict over federal control of millions of acres of public land in the West. The Bundy brothers have been at the forefront of that movement and stood by their father, Cliven Bundy, at his Nevada ranch in a 2014 armed standoff with authorities over enforcement of federal grazing rights.

The Bundys began the Oregon standoff on Jan. 2 with at least a dozen armed men, sparked in part by the return to prison of two Oregon ranchers who set fires that spread to federal property near the refuge.

More than two dozen people have been charged in connection with the takeover. Federal prosecutors dropped charges against one of the Bundys’ co-defendants, Peter Santilli, who livestreamed events at the refuge, writing in a motion filed on Tuesday that “the interests of justice do not support further pursuit of these charges.”

Another of the occupiers, Corey Lequieu, the first of the 26 people on trial, was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in federal prison earlier this month, local media reported.

A second group of defendants are scheduled to go on trial in February.

The Bundys have been jailed since they and several others were arrested in January on a snow-covered road near the reserve. A spokesman for the group, Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, was shot and killed by Oregon State Police who thought he was reaching for a weapon.

(Reporting by Courtney Sherwood in Portland, Oregon, and Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles,; Writing and additional reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Bill Trott)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC860K7-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Spooky Tunnel In Colorado Is Rumoured To Be Haunted By Orphan Children
Trending
David Clarke 3 min read

Spooky Tunnel In Colorado Is Rumoured To Be Haunted By Orphan Children

Lawyer accused of fraud by U.S. in BP oil spill case is acquitted
News
Reuters 2 min read

Lawyer accused of fraud by U.S. in BP oil spill case is acquitted

Can Manufacturers Institute Tells Trump Administration No Tariffs Needed for Aluminum Used to Make Beverage Cans
Business
Jason Owen 2 min read

Can Manufacturers Institute Tells Trump Administration No Tariffs Needed for Aluminum Used to Make Beverage Cans

A very British, and muddy, Glastonbury wraps up for another year
Entertainment
Reuters 3 min read

A very British, and muddy, Glastonbury wraps up for another year

Jessie J beats copyright appeal over smash hit ‘Domino’
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Jessie J beats copyright appeal over smash hit ‘Domino’

War on terrier: Australia deputy PM dogs Depp with ‘Hannibal Lecter’ jibe
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

War on terrier: Australia deputy PM dogs Depp with ‘Hannibal Lecter’ jibe

Robert De Niro gets back into the ring with ‘Hands of Stone’
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Robert De Niro gets back into the ring with ‘Hands of Stone’

SEC names Christopher Hetner cyber-security adviser to Jo White
News
Reuters 1 min read

SEC names Christopher Hetner cyber-security adviser to Jo White

New Connecticut school on massacre site blends safety and nature
News
Reuters 3 min read

New Connecticut school on massacre site blends safety and nature

7 Haunted Locations in the US with Notable Histories
Entertainment
Ethan Blake 5 min read

7 Haunted Locations in the US with Notable Histories

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers