BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF UPDATE:  JURY SENT HOME TILL DEC. 20, JUDGE CONSIDERS PROSECUTION VIOLATING RULES, MISTRIAL IS AN OPTION, DEFENSE SEEKS DISMISSAL

US District Judge Gloria M. Navarro decided that the third Bunkerville Standoff trial could not continue today.    Navarro sent the jury home so a review of evidence could be conducted.

She said the prosecution had displayed "coyness" about evidence and cited 14 pieces of evidence including emails from the fired Bureau of Land Management agent Dan Love, who led their operations around Bundy Ranch in early 2014.

Also in the evidence under question is a map detailing the position of government agents in and around Bundy Ranch that would reinforce the defense case and rebut the prosecution's contention that defendants saying they were surrounded by snipers was false.

There's also in the evidence a report saying the FBI  made suggestions to the BLM about handling the situation and indicating that the BLM ignored them.

Bret Whipple, Cliven Bundy's defense lawyer, says he hopes to have the charges dismissed before the jury returns.

Judge Navarro has asked for a response from the prosecution by Friday to a defense motion to dismiss the case.

The defense will then have until Monday to respond to the prosecution.

Judge Navarro allowed a 90 minute public session before the closed session began that will review the 14 pieces of evidence under question.

Navarro spoke of "double jeopardy" in the case and her courtroom statements led mainstream media to bring up the notion of  a mistrial in the case.

Supporters of the defendants like John Lamb see an opening to Judge Navarro dismissing the charges "with prejudice" meaning the charges could not be refiled.

Lamb said in  a video posted today that seven violations of federal evidence rules (Brady violations) were identified in court today.

Lamb said there are more violations that have not been publicly revealed yet.

During the public session Lamb observed the behavior of the lead prosecutor in the case.

 Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre's hand was "shaking at times" as he sat silent in the courtroom, according to Lamb.    The prosecutors were asking for the judge for more time to file their response to the defense motions.

Ammon Bundy spoke outside court today.  He has been released on home detention in the case.

"what we're fighting for is to maintain these principles of freedom that have built up this country the whole reason we have our freedom in the first place.   That's what we're defending....

...we're defending the rights and liberty of the people and not of just this country but of the countries but of all countries that are influenced by the United States and use the United States as an example......"

Ammon Bundy speaking outside federal courthouse in Las Vegas-12/11/2017

Ammon Bundy spoke about his father who chooses to remain in jail until he is truly free and not on "home detention" with GPS monitoring attached to his ankle.   Ammon says his father is holding up well and is strong.

The final decision on whether this trial will go forward or whether there is a mistrial will come next week, the week before Christmas.

That's perfect timing for a controversial decision which could upset the supporters of the defendants or the left leaning elements like the Southern Poverty Law Center and environmentalists who are monitoring the trial in opposition to the defendants.

Further developments between now and then will lead to further posts.

Ammon Bundy outside federal courthouse video

(UPDATED LATE MONDAY, EARLY TUESDAY)