In a stunning victory for land rights, a jury ruled all seven defendants not guilty — and then U.S. marshals moved in and arrested the lawyer!
Just another chapter in the contentious anti-government Oregon militia protest.
A jury delivered an extraordinary blow to the government in a long-running battle over the use of public lands when it acquitted all seven defendants involved in the armed occupation of a national wildlife refuge in rural southeastern Oregon.
But it wasn’t over there. Chaos erupted in the courtroom Thursday after the verdicts were read when an attorney for group leader Ammon Bundy demanded his client be immediately released and repeatedly yelled at the judge. U.S. marshals tackled attorney Marcus Mumford to the ground, used a stun gun on him several times and arrested him.
U.S. District Judge Anna Brown said she could not release Bundy because he still faces charges in Nevada stemming from an armed standoff at his father Cliven Bundy’s ranch two years ago.
The Portland jury acquitted Bundy, his brother Ryan Bundy and five others of conspiring to impede federal workers from their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, 300 miles southeast of Portland. The jury could not reach a verdict on a single count of theft for Ryan Bundy.
Even attorneys for the defendants were surprised by the acquittals.
“It’s stunning. It’s a stunning victory for the defense,” said Robert Salisbury, attorney for defendant Jeff Banta. “I’m speechless.”
The U.S Attorney in Oregon, Billy J. Williams, issued a statement defending the decision to bring charges against the seven defendants: “We strongly believe that this case needed to be brought before a Court, publicly tried, and decided by a jury.”
The Oregon case is a continuation of the tense standoff with federal officials at Cliven Bundy’s ranch in 2014. Cliven, Ammon and Ryan Bundy are among those who are to go on trial in Nevada early next year for that standoff.
While the charges in Oregon accused defendants of preventing federal workers from getting to their workplace, the case in Nevada revolves around allegations of a more direct threat: An armed standoff involving dozens of Bundy backers pointing weapons, including assault-style rifles, at federal Bureau of Land Management agents and contract cowboys rounding up cattle near the Bundy ranch outside Bunkerville.
Daniel Hill, attorney for Ammon Bundy in the Nevada case, said he believed the acquittal in Oregon bodes well for his client and the other defendants facing felony weapon, conspiracy and other charges.
“When the jury here hears the whole story, I expect the same result,” Hill told The Associated Press in Las Vegas. Hill also said he’ll seek his client’s release from federal custody pending trial in Nevada.
U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden in Nevada, however, said the acquittals in Portland should have no effect in the Las Vegas case. “The Oregon case and charges are separate and unrelated to the Nevada case and charges,” Bogden said.
Ammon Bundy and his followers took over the Oregon bird sanctuary on Jan. 2. They objected to prison sentences handed down to Dwight and Steven Hammond, two local ranchers convicted of setting fires. They demanded the government free the father and son and relinquish control of public lands to local officials.
The Bundys and other key figures were arrested in a Jan. 26 traffic stop outside the refuge that ended with police fatally shooting Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, an occupation spokesman. Most occupiers left after his death, but four holdouts remained until Feb. 11, when they surrendered following a lengthy negotiation.
Federal prosecutors took two weeks to present their case, finishing with a display of more than 30 guns seized after the standoff. An FBI agent testified that 16,636 live rounds and nearly 1,700 spent casings were found.
During trial, Bundy testified that the plan was to take ownership of the refuge by occupying it for a period of time and then turn it over to local officials to use as they saw fit.
Bundy also testified that the occupiers carried guns because they would have been arrested immediately otherwise and to protect themselves against possible government attack.
The bird sanctuary takeover drew sympathizers from around the West.
One of Ammon Bundy’s attorneys, Morgan Philpot, spoke out after watching Mumford get tackled by marshals. “His liberty was just assaulted by the very government that was supposed to protect it, by the very government that just prosecuted his client — unjustly as the jury found.”
There’s another Oregon trial coming up over the wildlife refuge.
Authorities had charged 26 occupiers with conspiracy. Eleven pleaded guilty, and another had the charge dropped. Seven defendants chose not to be tried at this time. Their trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Praise God for this verdict…To Him Be The Glory………………….Gwen
Clinton Is Selling Uranium From Bundy and Hammond Ranches to Russians to Fund Presidential Campaign
http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2016/01/05/clinton-is-selling-uranium-from-bundy-and-hammond-ranches-to-russians-to-fund-presidential-campaign/
Amen
So wonderful to hear that these men were acquitted…..what about the murdered among them….Finnagan. Are they ever going to let the public know the name of the agent who murdered him or try him for murder?. He would have been acquitted along with the rest had they not murdered him. I hope that the Bundy’s get acquitted soon. What about the father and son rancher still being held in jail on burning BLM range land.
Praise God for this verdict……………….To God Be The Glory……Gwen :->
yes we need to all stand behind the people to help the Bundy’s
Isn’t the land in dispute the tract of land that Harry Reid wanted to sell to the Chinese? Was the SSS(FBI) involved in this, or just US Marshalls?
I think it was. Thank God the jury was composed of a thinking public. I’m stunned, impressed, and have hope for the future. Let’s get out country back guys. We deserve it. Go Trump!
AMEN
You stole my message. Yes this is the real reason to try to force Bundys off their ranch.
EVEN THE LAW DON’T WANT TO OBEY THE LAWS. DEMOCRATS HAVE INFECTED EVERYONE WITH THR LYING AND DECEIT.THATS WHY TRUMP HAS TO WIN. TO REGAIN OUR LAW AND ORDER AND COMMON SENSE.
Along with short Term Limits……..long prison terms & loss of all benefits for guilty FED/GOV employees (hired, appointed, contracted) who are now & or have committed felonies in the past…….STOP all bonuses for FED/GOV employees. Immediately DEFUND EPA, DHS, BLM, ACA, VA & Dept. of Ed.
Yes
Score one for the good guys.
Hope they learned better tactical plans for future endeavors.
My heart goes out to the Bundys- the Hammonds & Mr Fincham THAT THE FEDS KILLED! Thank GOD for the JURORS!!! THANK GOD FOR THEIR VERDICT! I hope the lawyer sues the Marshal for tasering him! The marshal was just mad that the FEDS LOST! Their is NO REASON TO KEEP BUNDY LOCKED UP- its not like hes going to flee- he would b at the Nevada hearing! He has NOTHING TO HIDE! ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO HILLARY/HARRY REID & HIS CROOKED SONS SELLING URANIUM TO RUSSIA- – and other American owned minerals–its POLITICAL MADE-UP BS! Now im sure the feds will appeal- thats how they normally do it until they get their PAID OFF JUDGE OF CHOICE OR PAID OFF JUROR(S). – THE BUNDYS -HAMMONDS- & FINCHAM ARE TRUE PATRIOTIC AMERICAN HEROS!!!! MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND BLESS DONALD J TRUMP AND BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
These men were acquitted (found not guilty) of the crimes they were indicted for. The feds cannot “appeal” the decision of the jury. That would be trying these men twice for the same crime (double indemnity) and, at least for now, that’s unconstitutional!!
the illegal gov. is out of control and on a power and intimidation of the public we all know that the FBI, CIA, secret service , IRS ,the injustice department, federal marshals are all in a criminal conspirency to destroy the america we love! time to get rid of the swamp scum in washington
Our founding fathers warned us all of this day now the question is what are we all going to do about it ??? The government is out of control the media is in their pocket and we now have the biggest criminal in the history of the world running for the highest office in our land.
If this isn’t right out of Hitler’s Playbook I don’t know what is wake up America God bless Donald Trump he is the last hope to bring this Nation to its greatness that it once was.
Armed Revolution is the ONLY Solution!
Yes. God willing
Under Dems: massacres at Waco, Ruby Ridge, Freeman Compound and many, many more. It truly is the use of military force against those with opposing political views! Ever notice that all of these incidents involve invading the privacy of a mans land and home – – –
These are all New World Order and United Nations groups in Washington and State Governments
that wish to destroy this great Nation. They are Globalists and make the Communist take over of Russia,
seem like child’s play, and they will not be satisfied until they have destroyed the Constitution and the Government of the people! Another very important thing is that on TV News you always hear them say that this is a “Democracy”, what a lie, the United States has always been a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC and we see this every time we say the pledge of allegiance. The Globalist use every trick in the book to destroy our great Nation, and the Globalist are fighting their hardest right now to overthrow our form of Government, because they believe if Donald Trump is elected President, they the Globalis know, that they have lost everything they have worked so hard for, for the last 100 years, THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR GREAT NATION!!! SO GO TRUMP GO, WIN, WIN, WIN!!!
It is rumored that there is Uranium in those parts. Buy food and way to protect it because the SHTF is coming soon and a whole lot sooner if HRC gets elected.
WAKE UP AMERICA IF THIS POS CROOK COMMIE SLIMMY SCUMBAG GETS IN WHITE AMERICA WE WILL HAVE TO GO TO WAR W/ THE LOSER LIBS IM GO TO WAR WIPE THEM OFF THE EARTH ALL OF THEM..!!
That’s a description of Trump I haven’t seen before but it is quite appropriate, Russell. Of course, the meaning of the rest of your rant wasn’t particularly clear.
I am sure there is an Infinity of things you and people like you don’t understand! Just to name a few, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the desire to work and earn what you have, the freedom to speak as you see fit and fight those who try to oppress that freedom, all of these things come together under one Banner, one nation under “GOD”!!!!!!
Boyd & Girls, it’s Anarchy time!
Spoken like a true American. You people are probably certifiably insane.
Crawl back into your hole troll that’s what you are and your most likely getting pay to troll this web site better keep a go watch I know that we no who you are and where you live troll that’s all you are a pay scumbag pay troll
you can be a sheep or a wolf. but tell me who dies in this mix?
How can people be so stupid as to what’s happening in America and to what’s coming? Gotta keep HRC out of the WH.
How can people be so stupid as to not see what’s happening in America and to what’s coming? Gotta keep HRC out of the WH.
One for the good old boys!! This Government has got way out of control. No longer serve the people but want complete control of their subjects. Go Donald!!!
This was charged as a conspiracy – agreement between 2 or more people which spans a period of time. Since even the Judge said: ” is a continuation of the tense standoff with federal officials at Cliven Bundy’s ranch in 2014″ it appears double jeopardy would attach. You cannot break the same alleged conspiracy into segments to give the government a second bite at the apple!
Enforcement of non-existant laws? Better sneak a peek around, you’ll be sure to see Hillary Killary Rotten Clinkton or one of her clones or minions directing this mess.
IMHO, lol
It was my understanding these are Federal lands, and, as such, they belong to the people of the United States. Somehow this has been turned around to make citizens think that Federal lands belong to the current “government”, and are under their complete control. As one candidate for President says, it’s time to drain the swamp in DC and make our government of, by and for the People. Eleven days to go……..
The Federal government was limited by the Constitution to own only 10 sq mi (DC) plus ports and forts for defense. States have state parks. There is no need for national parks or national land management as it is not a designated power given them by the states that created them. These ranchers have been driven from their lands over the last 50 years by the BLM illegally. Private ownership of land was the goal of the founding fathers as opposed to the “King’s forests.” They believed in property rights of individual land owners.
I agree…100%…
Thank God for the jury. And whatever happened to swift justice? The judge won’t release Ammon Bundy because he will stand trial in another state next year? Hell, Hillary is walking around free and she did worse than him. Let him go free. He has more honor than Hillary, so we know he will show up for trial.
Hillary sold 20 percent rights of u.s.
Uraniun mines to putin when she
Was sec of state. Harry ried
Wants to grab up all the land he
Wants. His son is a land
Comissioner. And people still vote
The crooks into office.
Great Job getting off. The Fed US Marshals are getting out of hand! I don’t believe this anywhere close to being done. All you Folks out there know we in the East are watching this. Go to the Polls, put Obamass out, Keep the Crook Kilary out! We must Stop the influx of Muslims/ISIS Fighters from Comming in! Trump will do that, so unless you want War on 2 fronts Vote Trump. The Ragheads get a Big Foot into this country, your wives and little girls will be wearing Burques and veils. Oh yea, Kilary will be Comming after Our guns. Nuff Said. RLB USN(Ret) Lock and Load America
Rod…you are 100% correct sir…
Questions. What has Obama done to improve the country and the people? I will let you work on that.
If Trump is elected what will we get? I say old fashion Democracy.
If Hillary is elected what will we get? I say destructive Socialism.
Have a great day folks.
Lets hope he sues everyone envolved ! Dirty stinkin demrats !
Time for the state to take back the land that the feds took illegally. BLM is not fed agency, but a contract agency working for the fed.
The feds want to take the land so they can sell the natural resources and keep the money like shillery did with the uranium sale to Russia. The Bondy family has owned land there for many years, and for some reason the feds now want the land. WHY??
Think people! !!!!socialism leads to communism. Think God for the jury in Oregon. Our government is out of control. People need to read history it always repeats it self. The war is coming. Let’s hope trump wins.
A citizen jury has the ability to put limits on out of control governments. Hopefully the feds will realize that there is still a large number of Americans who are willing to stand for their Constitutional rights.
It was not “fatally shooting Robert “LaVoy” Finicum”. it was gunning him down with his hands up surrendering. Otherwise known as murder. Even the official report states that the federal officers (not police) that shot him both claim they shot him because the other officer shot him and they each thought the other one saw something they didn’t. Nevermind, that the guys party was ambushed, he was in his 70’s, he was surrounded by officers with full auto rifles and had absolutely no reason to engage in a fire fight as it would’ve gotten everyone else in his party immediately killed as well. He died with his hands up trying to draw any potential fire away from those of his party still in the vehicle. It’s called being murdered by federal officers not being “fatally shot”.
I am so happy about the this and hope all the other trials those poor people have to face
will be as great.
The BLM is corrupt . They even murder people just to get there way.
Thank you for posting this I was wondering about it .
The lawyer showed disrespect to the court and knew his client was still on a charge. Maybe a taser was excessive – I don’t know. Do any of us know? Was there any video of this happening? Of course Shakespeare would not have stopped at a taser. Remember ”Henry VI,” Part II, act IV, Scene II, Line 73.?: ”The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers,” Presently about 40% of people in Congress are lawyers (it was double that number in the mid-19th century) and 59% of presidents have been lawyers.
Go Militia, I support you 100%, It’s time this Tyrannical government realize that this country is ruled by the word of law, not ideology,
These defendants weren’t against the government, but against illegal and unconstitutional government. Office holders swear to uphold the Constitution and have been ignoring that the federal government is only supposed to hold 10 sq miles of land in DC plus ports and forts. They wanted the states to take the federal land back to comply with the Constitution. They hurt nothing and threatened no one. Lavoy Finicum was killed outright for standing for the Constitution. These people were held unjustly and two are still political prisoners. Government overreach has affected all of us and must be pushed back: Remember the immortal words of Frederick Douglass:
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”
Please consider this is not 1776. There is no taking back control of our government. We have already lost. We are subjects. Please, I encourage you to accept your true role. If you use violence you will be destroyed. Then martial law will be declared. You can not make a difference at this point. If you need someone to blame, you should blame all our politicians for the past 100 years for selling out the Republic for 30 pieces of silver. Please reconsider your inciting of rebellion, as it will end with you planting your face in your hands and much weeping. Let’s for now enjoy the small freedoms granted to subjects and not bring about an early and complete destruction of what remains of our Republic.