BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: DEFENDANTS ENTER COURTOOM IN JAIL GARB AS THIRD TRIAL BEGINS WITH JURY SELECTION
(UPDATED LATE MONDAY AND EARLY TUESDAY OCT 30TH-31ST)
Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne entered the courtroom in Las Vegas today with red jail uniforms on that read "Detainee" on the back.
It was the beginning of their trial in connection with the April 12, 2014 Bunkerville Standoff near Bundy Ranch.
There were 49 potential jurors on hand today as proceedings got underway before US District Judge Gloria Navarro. Hundreds will be questioned before the end of the process.
Ammon Bundy's attorney J.. Morgan Philpot called for a further delay of the trial because of the impact of the October 1st mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Ryan Bundy objected to being forced to wear leg shackles.
It turns out Ryan Bundy hasn't had a shave or shower in a week.
Ryan Bundy, who's arguing in his own defense, apologized for his ragged appearance to potential jurors and asked them guestions. One was "Anyone believe the government makes no mistakes?" and another "Anyone believe the government can make mistakes?". The group of jurors were silent for the first with many hands shooting up for the second.
A third question: "Who believes if a man is arrested, the arrest alone is an indication he is guilty?"
In a video report posted at the "JGrady" account on You Tube John Lamb said that Ryan and Ammon were still wearing Pahrump prison uniforms while Cliven Bundy and Ryan Payne were dressed in Henderson Detention Center garb.
This startled US District Judge Gloria Navarro who had issued a written order for defendants to be transferred to Henderson from Pahrump ahead of the opening of the trial.
The first potential juror in the front row is a friend of a key witness Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo and even had dinner with him Sunday night, according to Lamb.
Kelli Stewart noted how thin the prisoners looked and how deteriorated in condition Cliven Bundy was, a man already in his 70's.
It turns out Ryan Bundy hasn't had a shave or shower in a week.
Ryan Bundy, who's arguing in his own defense, apologized for his ragged appearance to potential jurors and asked them guestions. One was "Anyone believe the government makes no mistakes?" and another "Anyone believe the government can make mistakes?". The group of jurors were silent for the first with many hands shooting up for the second.
A third question: "Who believes if a man is arrested, the arrest alone is an indication he is guilty?"
In a video report posted at the "JGrady" account on You Tube John Lamb said that Ryan and Ammon were still wearing Pahrump prison uniforms while Cliven Bundy and Ryan Payne were dressed in Henderson Detention Center garb.
This startled US District Judge Gloria Navarro who had issued a written order for defendants to be transferred to Henderson from Pahrump ahead of the opening of the trial.
The first potential juror in the front row is a friend of a key witness Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo and even had dinner with him Sunday night, according to Lamb.
Kelli Stewart noted how thin the prisoners looked and how deteriorated in condition Cliven Bundy was, a man already in his 70's.
Supporters were outside the courthouse with a large banner displayed among other signs of protest.
Another point Kelli Stewart made in video that was removed from Free Republic shortly after being posted last evening was that the police presence around the courthouse today, dozens of officers in militarized gear sends a chilling message about what law enforcement has become.
Another point Kelli Stewart made in video that was removed from Free Republic shortly after being posted last evening was that the police presence around the courthouse today, dozens of officers in militarized gear sends a chilling message about what law enforcement has become.
Kelli Stewart said in part: "We have officers everywhere, armed, surrounding us, walking everywhere, looking us up and down making sure we're not doing anything wrong. And as somebody who's always been a law abiding citizen and really wants to see police officers as here to protect me, its becoming more and more clear that the police officers that are here outside are really here to protect the Establishment, they're here to protect this courthouse, they're here to protect any tyranny going on inside this courthouse and they'll quickly remove people if we start to do anything outside of their codes and regulations."
In that vein John and Kelli's video made reference to a question asked of a potential juror if they had ever had a bad experience with law enforcement.
The prospective juror said having five cops glare at them as they entered the courthouse that day was such an example.
Both trial observers (John Lamb and Kelli Stewart) are overall optimistic saying the atmosphere reminds them of Oregon when not guilty verdicts were read out for all seven defendants at the first trial.
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