BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: WHY IS THE JURY BEING BUSED TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR THIRD TRIAL? , FBI INFORMANTS TO TESTIFY

Ammon Bundy's attorney Morgan Philpot had a question at the third Bunkerville Standoff trial yesterday (Tuesday November 14th)..

Philpot was wondering what the jury is being told about being bused to the courthouse everyday.

US District Judge Gloria Navarro said she thinks the jury is being told there is no parking at the courthouse.

Why is the jury being handled this way?

One potential explanation goes back to the jury selection process when potential jurors were asked if they had any bad experiences with law enforcement.   This led one person to cite the menacing and threatening demeanor of federal law enforcement positioned outside the courthouse as they walked in.

The feds have been aggressive towards people with protest signs in support of the defendants outside the courthouse during the trials with the federal law enforcement sometimes being assisted in the harassment by Las Vegas Metro Police.

In general law enforcement is on a war footing for the Bunkerville trials with two helicopters being used during transport of defendants to and from the courthouse and a massive motorcade including federal, state and local law enforcement.

Trial observers John Lamb and Gina Harden described in a video posted on the "JGrady" account on You Tube yesterday how the rules of evidence appear to be wide open in this trial with Judge Navarro not restricting mention of how FBI and BLM agents threatened the Bundy's and protestors who came to support them.

Attempts to mention such things were rebuffed by Judge Navarro in the two previous trials with Navarro instructing juries to disregard any testimony that pointed in the direction of defendants feeling threatened by federal agents.

In his opening arguments yesterday Cliven Bundy's defense lawyer laid out the history of Bundy Ranch, founded June 7, 1877.

Bret Whipple also laid out the history of Cliven Bundy's dispute with the federal government that began when the Bureau of Land Management declared his cattle a threat to the desert tortoise in 1989.

Whipple put pictures up on the big screen just like Acting US Attorney Steve Myrhe did, but Whipple's pictures showed aggressive actions by federal agents and FBI informants that he intends to call as witnesses during the trial.

The trial continues today with additional opening arguments from the defense including Ryan Bundy speaking in his own defense.    More trial activity may happen for part of Thursday but there will be a break from the trial until next Monday after either today or Thursday.

And by the way Ryan Bundy is going to be allowed to live in a residential setting under terms of his surprise release by Judge Navarro.   He will be able to go to church, court and meet with lawyers while he is under "home detention".