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Title: Bundy brothers, other Oregon occupiers found not guilty on federal charges
Source:
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
URL Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat ... d-not-guilty-article-1.2848047
Published: Oct 27, 2016
Author: Christopher Brennan
Post Date: 2016-10-27 20:45:25 by Hondo68
Keywords: None
Views: 1110
Comments: 7
The leaders of an Oregon occupation on trial for the weeks-long takeover of a federal wildlife refuge have been acquitted on all major charges. A group of rifle-toting protesters led by conservative ranchers Ammon and Ryan Bundy stayed at the Malheur National Wildlife refuge near Burns for 41 days before the final demonstrators surrendered to police in mid-February. The Bundy brothers, along with five other defendants, were charged with federal counts including conspiring to impede wildlife refuge employees and possession of guns at a federal facility. They were found not guilty, though Ryan Bundy faces an additional theft of government property charge where a verdict has not been returned, according to the Oregonian. Ryan Bundy quotes Martin Luther King Jr. in closing arguments Both Bundy brothers are also under federal indictment in Nevada, where their father Cliven Bundy held his own armed standoff against federal authorities in 2014. Ammon Bundy's lawyer Marcus Mumford was tackled to the ground as he argued in court that the rancher should be let go immediately, with some witnesses saying that marshals used a Taser on the attorney. The trial lasted for weeks, though jury maneuver by the judge likely paved the way for the sweeping not guilty verdicts. Juror 11, who another juror said may be partial to the government because of previous work for the federal Bureau of Land Management, was dismissed on Wednesday and replaced, the Oregonian reported. Ore. militia leader Ammon Bundy defends takeover in court Oregon Governor Kate Brown said in a statement that she is disappointed by the verdict but respects the jury's decision. "The occupation of the Malheur Refuge by outsiders did not reflect the Oregon way of respectfully working together to resolve differences," she posted on Twitter. The standoff, where protesters said federal land should be turned over to locals, drew national attention, repeatedly dominating headlines with fears that the occupation may end in bloodshed. At one point in late January the Bundys left the refuge for a meeting with a local sheriff, but were intercepted by police and arrested. Rancher Ryan Bundy tried to escape jail with braided bed sheets The occupation's spokesman Robert LaVoy Finicum, was shot and killed by police i nthe encounter, and video footage appears to confirm authorities' account that he was reaching for a gun in his jacket pocket. Most at the refuge surrendered in the days after Finicum's death, though some stayed on and surrendered when officers close in on Feb. 11. Beyond the seven acquitted Thursday, nineteen other occupiers were charged with conspiracy. Eleven pleaded guilty, one had the charge dropped and seven are scheduled for trial next year. Poster Comment: The property owners were found, not guilty. They didn't steal their own property. DUH!
The Bundy brothers Ammon (left) and Ryan (right) and other defendants were found not guilty after occupying federal land for weeks. (JIM URQUHART) 
Occupiers led by Ammon Bundy took over a refuge for 41 days. Above, he speaks with LaVoy Finicum, who was shot and killed during the standoff. (ROB KERR/AFP/Getty Images)
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
#1. To: hondo68 (#0)
We have to find more information on this verdict. It lays the groundwork for a legal case against the US government murdering Robert Finicum.
It's a solid second amendment verdict. Possessing arms on federal property/jurisdiction has been deemed, not a crime. ((( BANG )))
#4. To: hondo68 (#2)
No, it has been deemed that the jury found Ammon Bundy, et al. not guilty as charged. It is not even citable in another case.
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#2. To: buckeroo, *Bang List* (#1)
Replies to Comment # 2. It's a solid second amendment verdict. Possessing arms on federal property/jurisdiction has been deemed, not a crime.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
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