Pegasus Research Consortium

Bundy brothers found not guilty of conspiracy in Oregon militia standoff

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/27/oregon-militia-standoff-bundy-brothers-not-guilty-trial

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QuoteA jury has found that brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy were not guilty of conspiring against the government, a surprising end to the high-profile Oregon standoff trial that sparked national debates about public lands and the rights of ranchers in the American west.

The decision, unveiled in federal court in Portland on Thursday, is a blow to the US government, which had aggressively prosecuted the rightwing activists who led an armed takeover of public property to protest American land-use regulations.

The Bundy brothers, who orchestrated a 2 January takeover of the Malheur national wildlife refuge, were acquitted on a number of serious charges, along with five other defendants. Only a day earlier the court dismissed a juror over fears of bias, raising concerns that the trial would drag on for weeks.

"We are just so excited," Angie Bundy, Ryan's wife, told the Guardian after the verdict was announced. "We've been praying hard, and we knew they hadn't done anything wrong."

Ammon Bundy, other militants found not guilty in Oregon standoff trial

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QuoteAmmon and Ryan Bundy have been found not guilty of conspiracy. Their five co-defendants Jeff Banta, Shawna Cox, David Fry, Kenneth Medenbach and Neil Wampler have all been found not guilty as well.

Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on Ryan Bundy's theft of government property charge.

The jury returned its verdict after some six weeks of testimony followed by less than six hours deliberations, and the last minute replacement of a juror after an allegation surfaced that he was biased.
RELATED LINKS
Citing alleged bias, juror dismissed in Oregon standoff trial
The Malheur trial: What you need to know
41 Days: An OPB documentary on the Oregon occupation
The jury was instructed to disregard their previous work and to re-consider the evidence

The charges stem from the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns in eastern Oregon's high desert. The armed protest began Jan. 2 and ended when the final four occupiers surrendered to the FBI on Feb. 11.

Prosecutors initially charged Ammon Bundy, his brother Ryan Bundy, and 24 others with conspiracy to prevent Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees from doing their jobs at the wildlife refuge in Harney County. Some defendants named in the indictment faced weapons charges for carrying firearms in a federal facility, as well as theft of government property.

Only seven defendants went to trial in September. Others have pleaded guilty or are scheduled to go to trial in February 2017.

Through the government's case, prosecutors attempted to show the jury evidence about when the alleged conspiracy began, as well as how the occupation unfolded and ultimately ended.

The government relied heavily on testimony from law enforcement, including Harney County Sheriff David Ward, as well as dozens of FBI agents who responded to the occupation or processed evidence at the Malheur refuge after the occupation ended.

"At the end of the day, there is an element of common sense that demonstrates the guilt of these defendants," Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight said during his closing arguments during the trial. "These defendants took over a wildlife refuge and it wasn't theirs."

Conversely, the defense sought to make its case about a political protest – one about protesting the federal government's ownership and management of public lands.

"The people have to insist that the government is not our master; they are our servants," Ryan Bundy said during his closing statement to the jury.

Bundy added the occupation had "nothing to do with impeding and preventing the employees of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge."

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/bundys-found-not-guilty-oregon-standoff-trial/

Quoteconspiracy to prevent Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife employees from doing their jobs at the wildlife refuge in Harney County     

This was a strange charge to begin with, as the refuge is closed in the winter and the employees are on there own until spring.

As a sidenote, the judge released all the defendants except Ammon , and closed the trial. The defense attorney took exception, to not having Ammon released also, and arugued with the judge  , who had the defence attorney tasered and dragged out of the room.  ::)

Ammon Bundy's Attorney Won the Biggest Case of His Life. Then He Was Tased in the Courtroom.

http://www.wweek.com/news/2016/10/27/ammon-bundys-attorney-won-the-biggest-case-of-his-life-then-he-was-tased-in-the-courtroom/

    I also take exception to the outrages 6 million $ destruction charges,  the whole town of Burns, probably  does not have that value.   

Finicum died for nothing.   >:( >:( >:(

Quote from: Irene on October 31, 2016, 03:29:17 PM
Finicum died for nothing.   >:( >:( >:(

Shot in the back, 3 times.

Quote from: Phedre on October 31, 2016, 05:50:18 PM
Shot in the back, 3 times.

Did you watch the video? DISGUSTING.   :'(

Quote from: Phedre on October 31, 2016, 02:44:17 PM
    I also take exception to the outrages 6 million $ destruction charges,  the whole town of Burns, probably  does not have that value.   

I think that figure came from operational expenses sending the troups out there.