Judge dismisses juror for bias in Bundy Trial

[Preacher]

Judge dismisses juror for bias in Bundys’ Oregon standoff trial

Good. Let's hope the remaining jurors find them not guilty!

 

[waltky]

Bundy's are acquitted of federal charges...

Oregon wildlife refuge occupiers cleared
Fri, 28 Oct 2016 - The defendants in a standoff at a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon are acquitted of felony conspiracy charges.

Seven defendants involved in a standoff at a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon have been acquitted of felony charges of conspiracy and possession of firearms. They were cleared by a jury that had been deliberating for more than a week. Prosecutors said the defendants, led by brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy, had kept federal employees from their jobs. The defendants and at least 19 others occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January and early February. The 41-day standoff highlighted the simmering resentment among rural communities in the US West over federal control of land.

Ammon Bundy speaking​

Drama erupted in the courtroom after Ammon Bundy's defence lawyer Marcus Mumford angrily demanded his client be set free immediately. When he wouldn't calm down, US court marshals used a stun gun and tackled him. The Bundys are still facing charges in Nevada stemming from a high-profile 2014 standoff with federal agents and their father, Cliven Bundy. During the occupation earlier this year, the group established armed patrols and vetted those who visited the refuge. After several weeks one of the protesters was shot dead when police and the FBI arrested the leaders of the occupation.

Robert "LaVoy" Finicum died during a 26 January traffic stop outside the refuge as the Bundys and several others were detained. After the acquittals, US Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy Williams said he had "hoped for a different outcome". But he said he strongly believed the case needed to be brought before a court and decided by a jury. The FBI also said it was "extremely disappointed in the verdict".

'A slap in the face for the feds' - Analysis by James Cook, North America correspondent