Ammon Bundy release video

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  AMMON BUNDY WALKS OUT OF JAIL TO HOME DETENTION FOR THE REST OF THE TRIAL, RYAN PAYNE NEEDS OREGON FEDERAL JUDGE'S OKAY TO BE RELEASED, CLIVEN BUNDY DECIDED TO STAY IN JAIL

".......A little bit more liberty but we got a long way to go...." 

Ryan Bundy speaking awaiting his brothers release in Las Vegas 11/30/2017

Happy scenes at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas today as Ammon Bundy was released to home detention under the order of US District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.    

Hugs from family, friends, supporters.gathered inside and outside the building.

Ammon Bundy spoke with reporters outside the building.   He said it is the duty of Americans to 'stand up for their rights' when the government makes mistakes. 

Bundy also said the government's case against him and the other defendants is in trouble and that Judge Navarro has seen that leading to his release.

"We've known that always was going to be the case, so we suffered for two years",  he told the media.

A RELEASE HEARING FOR RYAN PAYNE WILL BE HELD IN PORTLAND TOMORROW AT 3pm  (FRIDAY DECEMBER 1st ).     US DISTRICT ANNA J.BROWN WILL DECIDE IF PAYNE, WHO PLED GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE OREGON STANDOFF PROTEST LAST YEAR, SHOULD BE ALLOWED RELEASE ON HOME DETENTION DURING THE BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF TRIAL.


WHILE JUDGE NAVARRO HAS RULED TO RELEASE RYAN PAYNE, JUDGE BROWN HAS TO DECIDE IF SHE AGREES WITH THAT.   WORD FROM PORTLAND IS THAT FEDERAL PROSECUTORS WANT PAYNE TO SERVE A 41 MONTH SENTENCE FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE OREGON STANDOFF, BUT JUDGE BROWN HAS CONSISTENTLY HANDED OUT LESSER SENTENCES THAN THE PROSECUTORS WANTED.



And finally, Cliven Bundy has opted to remain in jail because there are others still jailed without bail for nearly two years in connection with the Bunkerville Standoff including his sons Mel and Dave Bundy.


Cliven's decision to stay in jail and show up in court in his prison uniform reminds us that justice has not yet come in this matter.     As Johnny Cash sang almost 50 years ago "till things are brighter, I'm the man in black".


 His wife Carol stated in a video posted some months ago that it is within the power of Republican officials in Washington like Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to drop the charges against the defendants.

Will those men choose to exercise that power?

(UPDATED LATE THURSDAY, EARLY FRIDAY)  (LINK TO VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  OTHER THREE DEFENDANTS ARE ORDERED RELEASED FROM JAIL, TWO WILL BE FREED, CLIVEN BUNDY DECIDES TO STAY 

It was a surprise move in and of itself when US District Judge Gloria Navarro reversed herself on November 13th (one day before the trial began) and released Ryan Bundy from jail.

But now word that Judge Navarro is releasing the other defendants Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy and Ryan Payne to home detention as well. 

CLIVEN BUNDY DECIDED TO STAY IN JAIL UNTIL OTHER PRISONERS CURRENTLY HELD FOR A LATER TRIAL ARE RELEASED.   HIS ATTORNEY BRET WHIPPLE NOTED THAT BUNDY IS A  'PRINCIPLED MAN'.

AMMON BUNDY WILL BE RELEASED IN THE MORNING AND RYAN PAYNE WILL BE RELEASED LATER.

JUDGE NAVARRO IS SENDING THE CONDITIONS OF PAYNE'S RELEASE TO THE JUDGE PRESIDING OVER THE OREGON STANDOFF CASE, US DISTRICT JUDGE ANNA J. BROWN IN PORTLAND.

RYAN PAYNE HAS ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA IN CONNECTION WITH THE OREGON STANDOFF PROTEST WHILE AMMON AND RYAN BUNDY, ALONG WITH FIVE OTHER 'LEADERS' OF THE PROTEST WERE FOUND NOT GUILTY BY A JURY AT THEIR TRIAL.

WHILE THE HEARING THAT LED TO JUDGE NAVARRO'S ORDER TO RELEASE THE DEFENDANTS TO HOME DETENTION WAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, THOSE INSIDE THE ROOM PASSED A SENSE OF THE HEARING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

TRIAL OBSERVER JOHN LAMB POSTED A VIDEO SAYING THAT THE JUDGE 'SCOLDED' THE PROSECUTORS OVER THEIR WITHHOLDING OF EVIDENCE FROM THE DEFENSE.

EVEN WITH HER BIASES, JUDGE NAVARRO IS SEEING TOO MUCH WEAKNESS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S CASE TO JUSTIFY CONTINUED IMPRISONMENT OF THE ACCUSED.

Cliven and Ammon Bundy have been consistently wearing their jail clothing to court and perhaps that helped  Judge Navarro make her decision to help influence the jury away from sympathy for the defendants.

Having the jury submit written questions for witnesses has helped her see how they feel about the case plus she herself has seen how the federal prosecutors have withheld information from the defense in this case during this trial.  Don't really know if that is also playing a role in her thinking.

Supporter Brand Thornton posted a video during the day noting that he and other supporters were waiting outside the courthouse for the men to be released and the atmosphere is very happy with optimism about other defendants still in jail awaiting trial also being released at some point.

The release decision came amid a closed door hearing on matters related to the case involving the prosecution, defense, and Judge Navarro.

Brand Thornton on video from outside the courthouse also mentioned the presence of judicial activist Larry Klayman  who's filed a lawsuit related to the case.

The trial continued later in the day with Judge Navarro allowing Ryan Bundy, acting in his own defense, to wear a cowboy hat during questioning of a witness.

The trial is over for this week and will not be happening next week, but will resume on December 11th.

While it would be wrong to reach any sweeping conclusion about where the trial is going, it is safe to say that the prosecution in the case led by a man praised for his "leadership" by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in July during a Las Vegas visit (Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre) is watching the case he is making against the defendants in a sharp downward trajectory.

A reminder to look for videos on the Bundy Ranch Facebook page and the "JGrady" You Tube account among other places at midday Eastern time showing Ammon Bundy's release from jail on Thursday November 30th.

(UPDATED LATE WEDNESDAY, EARLY THURSDAY)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  LAWYERS ARGUE BEFORE JUDGE, JURY DELAYED BY JUROR'S COURT SUMMONS, BLM AGENT CROSS EXAMINED

Tuesday's activities at the third Bunkerville Standoff trial in Las Vegas started with US District Judge Gloria Navarro and the prosecution and defense lawyers in the courtroom.

The hearing they were holding was to discuss motions related to the trial.

A juror's summons to another court delayed the jury from being present for the trial itself to continue.

The lead prosecutor, Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre, was outraged over what Cliven Bundy's defense lawyer Bret Whipple said in court yesterday about a BLM agent trying to bribe a Bundy in-law to become an informant.

Myrhe spoke of "imflammatory, unfounded claims".   

The defense now has body cam video of the BLM agents during their March 2014 visit to the Bundy Ranch area where the bribe offer was said to have taken place.

BLM agent Robert Shilaikis was back on the stand in the afternoon.  The defense cross-examined him.

He was asked about his contact, conversations with Clancy Cox and often gave the "I don't recall" answer.    He shook his head and put on the appearance of being confused when asked certain questions.

Shilaikis has been trained to answer questions at trials, this was revealed earlier.   His answers to prosecution questions were more clear and precise that his "I don't recall" answers and evasion when being questioned by the defense.

Ryan Bundy, acting in his defense, discussed a call he made to the Bureau of Land Management on March 18, 2014 when he asked Agent Johnson, Shiliakis's partner if the conversation of the day before had been recorded.   Johnson said "No".   But of the course the recording of the call is now evidence that has been played at the trial.


Bundy asked Shiliakis if Johnson had lied and he admitted that Johnson had told a lie.


Then Bundy went on to ask if it is BLM policy to lie.   Agent Shiliakis did not want to answer the question but the judge said he had to and he said "No its not common" according to trial observer John Lamb.    Ryan Bundy then asked Shiliakis if he lies and he answered "No".

Cliven Bundy's attorney Bret Whipple asked about any conversations that Agent Shiliakis had with Clancy Cox and any claims by the agent to Cox that he grew up on a ranch and supported the Bundy's and "I don't recall" was again being used by Shiliakis claiming it happened three and a half years ago and his memory needed refreshing.

Judge Navarro will allow Mr. Cox to testify at a later date to offer his version of events involving his interaction with BLM agents.


Jurors also submitted written questions for Shiliakis as he wrapped up his testimony.


The next prosecution witness will be called as the trial continues Wednesday (November 29th).


(UPDATED LATE TUESDAY, EARLY WEDNESDAY)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: PROSECUTION CONTINUES CASE, DEFENSE ALLEGES FEDERAL BRIBERY ATTEMPT

"You don't make laws, you make regulations"

Ryan Bundy speaks with BLM agent Robert Shilaikis on March 17, 2014

Bureau of Land Management official Robert Shilaikis testified for the prosecution today in the Bunkerville Standoff case.

Shilaikis testified about a phone conversation he had with Ryan Bundy regarding the government's plans to impound cattle near the Bundy Ranch.

Bundy reminded Shilaikis that the family would oppose the federal government's seizure of their property (cattle) as they had said for the last 20 years doing "whatever it takes".

Its a phrase that has sinister overtones to opponents of the Bundy's.


It is important for the prosecution to create sinister notions of violence against the four defendants.

US District Judge Gloria Navarro initially would only allow 10 minutes of that conversation the proescution wanted used and not the whole conversation.   She rejected an attempt by Cliven Bundy's attorney Bret Whipple to include the whole 60 minute conversation.

Judge Navarro changed her mind and eventually allowed the jury to hear the entire conversation where Ryan Bundy schooled Mr. Shilaikis about the Constitution and the BLM and the desert tortise, whose "protection" was used to limit the Bundy's grazing rights at the beginning of the dispute with the federal government over 25 years ago.

Bundy family friend Bryan Hyde said in a video posted on Facebook tonight that Ryan Bundy challenged the other BLM official in the conversation, Mr. Johnson, with the notion that he cannot uphold the Constitution when he's destroying it through his work with the BLM.    Johnson responded "That hurts".

Meanwhile, the defense says that when Shilaikis and another government official approached Bundy family member Clancy Cox on the grazing land in March 2014 there was a bribery attempt to enlist him as a government informant.   Cox is married to one of Cliven Bundy's daughters.


The BLM officials were scouting out the ranch area and they wanted to gauge reaction of Bundy family members to their plans to seize the cattle.


They recorded their conversation with Clancy Cox and another person there.   This is something defense lawyers didn't know about before.


The judge ordered the prosecution to turn over the recording after lunch today.


More issues will be dealt with by the judge and lawyers in the morning (Tuesday November 28th) with the jury expected back in the courtroom to hear testimony in the afternoon as the prosecution continues to present its case.

(UPDATED LATE MONDAY, EARLY TUESDAY)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  TRIAL RESUMES MONDAY,  JUDGE REFUSES PROSECUTION DEMAND TO SANCTION DEFENSE LAWYER

The next prosecution witness is expected to take the stand Monday in the third Bunkerville Standoff trial of Cliven Bundy, his sons Ammon and Ryan Bundy, along with Ryan Payne.

Justice Department lawyer Terry Petrie wrapped up his testimony on Wednesday before the Thanksgiving break, answering questions submitted by jurors.

US District Judge Gloria Navarro's decision to allow juror questions at the trial submitted in writing is seen as a way for her to see the mind of the jury and enable her to declare a mistrial if she sees a "threat" of jury nullification.

Jurors asked about water rights and grazing rights.   Judge Navarro did not let Petrie answer some questions and said the water rights issue is not determined.

But the defense contends that water rights are Cliven Bundy's on the land used for grazing and that the water rights reside with the state of Nevada and Cliven Bundy.    Cliven Bundy's attorney Bret Whipple says one important reason that Mr. Bundy did not want his cattle impounded and removed from the grazing land was that he would lose water rights if the cattle were taken off the land.

In a video made in 2015 and just posted on the "JGrady" account on You Tube this weekend, Ammon Bundy reveals that the federal government tore up water collection and distribution systems used by the Bundy's  on the grazing land when they moved in to impound the cattle back in the days before the standoff in 2014.

After the  jury's questions to Mr. Petrie,  Judge Navarro opened the door to further questioning from the lawyers and Mr. Whipple responded to a juror's written question about any legal appeals on Cliven Bundy's grazing rights.   Attorney Whipple said that yes there is a legal appeal on the right to graze on the land.

After jurors left the courtroom the prosecution, led by Acting US Attorney Steven Myrhe, demanded that Whipple be sanctioned by the judge for telling the jurors about the legal appeal.   She declined to issue any sanction.

In the coming week the trial will be in session Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 430 pm.

After that a break will occur.    The trial will not resume until Monday December 11th.

A hearing on motions in the trial is scheduled Wednesday,  likely before the trial starts in the morning.

REX AND THE ROHINGYAS:  TILLERSON SAYS MUSLIMS IN BURMA (MYANMAR) WERE VICTIMS OF 'ETHNIC CLEANSING'

It was the day before Thanksgiving and President Trump's powerful tweets were creating some distracting news, but Secretary of State Rex Tillerson finally committed himself on the conflict between the Muslim minority in Myanmar (Burma) and the majority Buddhist population.

Here is a portion of Tillerson's statement:

"....the key test of any democracy is how it treats its most marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as the ethnic Rohingya and other minority populations.   Burma's government and security forces must respect the human rights of all persons within its borders, and hold accountable all those who fail to do so.

I reiterate the United States condemnation of August 25 attacks on security forces by the Arkhan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).   Yet no provocation can justify the horrendous atrocities that have ensued.   These abuses by some among the Burmese military, security forces, and local vigilantes have caused tremendous suffering and forced hundreds of thousands of men, women and children to flee their homes in Burma to seek refuge in Bangladesh.  After a careful and thorough analysis of available facts, it is clear that the situation in northern Rakhine state constitutes ETHNIC CLEANSING AGAINST THE ROHINGYA..... "

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's remarks on Rohingya Muslims in Burma (Myanmar) 11/22/2017

The talk of "ethnic cleansing" involving Muslims takes us back to the days of President Bill Clinton and the Balkan conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo.   These conflicts led to military actions by the United States and other nations.

For now, Tillerson says there must be accountability for "atrocities" and a 'credible independent investigation".  His statement adds:

"The United States will also pursue accountability through US law, including possible targeted sanctions."

The government in Myanmar has committed itself to repatriation of those who are refugees in neighboring Bangladesh and is working towards that end.

While Tillerson is admitting in part what Burmese leadership including the country's unofficial leader, Nobel  Peace Prize laureate Aung Sun Suu Kyi, have been trying to tell the world about Muslim terrorism in their country from the Arkhan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) the presumption of guilt as in 'ethnic cleansing' rings louder and clearer.

The United States is indeed 20 trillion dollars in debt and closely aligned with Saudi Arabia and other financially rich Gulf Arab nations.

President Trump did visit Saudi Arabia in May, perform the sword dance with its leaders, and received Saudi commitments to buy military weapons and finance the building of infrastructure in the United States that will help to "Make America Great Again".

The POTUS recently expressed his support for the "reforms" with mass arrests and seizures of assets of powerful people in Saudi Arabia launched by the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It is in this harsh reality that we find the driving forces behind the United States position on the conflict in Burma (Myanmar).

LINK TO TILLERSON STATEMENT

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:   ARGUMENTS CONTINUE AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY'S TRIAL SESSION

Before Justice Department lawyer Terry Petrie could return to the witness stand today for cross examination by the defense, prosecutors were arguing before US District Judge Gloria Navarro over the defense's questions to Petrie yesterday.

They were calling the questions of Cliven Bundy's attorney Bret Whipple and those framed with the US Constitution by Ryan Bundy, acting in his own defense, an attack on the prosecution.

The prosecutors are accusing the defense of attempting jury nullification.

Trial observer John Lamb posted a video at the lunchtime break discussing the FBI threat assessment, a 15 page document that is redacted in many places, that has finally been given to the defense.


Because Judge Navarro is not allowing the redacted document to be read out loud, jurors cannot hear information that paints Cliven Bundy in a positive light, information the prosecution labels "self-serving" in its arguments.


Court will be in session for the trial again next week Monday through Thursday with a special hearing on motions in the trial as part of Wednesday's court activity.   The defense still has a motion before the judge for dismissal.

There will be no trial activity the week of December 4th.

The trial will then resume on December 11th.

(UPDATED LATE WEDNESDAY, EARLY THURSDAY)

OREGON STANDOFF: SENTENCING FOR DARRYL THORN

For those who weren't the leaders of the Oregon Standoff  found not guilty in the first trial, those who entered guilty pleas or were tried in the second rigged trial, there have been penalties imposed by federal courts.

Today Darryl Thorn, one of those convicted in the second rigged trial, received an 18 month sentence from US District Anna J. Brown.

The sentence handed down was less than the recommended guidelines but Judge Brown says she took into account Thorn's family background and mental health issues, among other things.  She said her sentence was in no way a justification of his participation in the protest.

For the prosecution, Assistant US Attorney Ethan Knight argued for a 27 month sentence, citing among other things Thorn's membership in "3 Percent militia".

Thorn's lawyer had argued for supervised release.

One of Thorn's co-defendants, Duane Ehmer, sentenced to a year and a day in jail last week by Judge Brown, was outside the courthouse riding his horse and holding an American flag.

Thorn was freed after his arrest last year and went to a Donald Trump rally in Spokane, Washington with Nathan Seim, whose brother Gavin facilitated two live video streams at the end of the Oregon Standoff protest.

The two men tried to get the candidate's attention about the Oregon Standoff, but the crowd wrongly believed them to be left wing Never Trumpers and convinced then candidate Donald Trump as well.

They were removed from the rally.

President Donald Trump can do something about the Oregon Standoff by pardoning those convicted in the rigged process and more than that, he can pardon Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond.    The Hammonds are serving a mandatory five year sentence as terrorists for lighting a backfire to protect their land.

The Oregon Standoff protest was called on behalf of the Hammonds.

(UPDATED EARLY WEDNESDAY)               "Oregon Live" story on Darryl Thorn

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: TRIAL TUESDAY SESSION, ARGUMENTS OVER THREAT ASSESSMENT, RYAN BUNDY USES CONSTITUTION IN CROSS EXAMINATION

The Tuesday trial session involved continued arguments about the "threat assessment" followed by cross-examination of government lawyer Terry Petrie.

The jury was out of the courtroom for the arguments, but then was brought in for the witness.

The defense is being allowed to use entrapment as an argument in the case.   Many documents have been released for this trial including some that are redacted and not allowed to be read out loud in court.

It brings into question the validity of the previous trials where the federal government only succeeded in convicting two of the six defendants while two were acquitted and two entered into misdemeanor plea deals.

In those trials, Judge Navarro limited defense arguments and the defense did not have access to the information they have access to in this trial.

During the morning arguments, the defense said the flow of documents from the government is still coming and it is still incomplete.

Cliven Bundy's attorney Bret Whipple said in court that for the first time he is actually seeing a copy of the FBI threat assessment, but the document does have a date on it.

The lead prosecutor, Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre, protests that the information does not help the defense and really does not need to be released.

When lawyer Terry Petrie was under cross examination, Ryan Bundy held the courtroom in rapt attention.    The jury, judge and spectators listened intently while Bundy used the Constitution of the United States in his questioning.   The prosecution was lock jawed because if they had objected to his argument, they would have been objecting to the Constitution.  At one point, Petrie complemented Ryan Bundy on his knowledge of the Constitution.

Trial observer John Lamb said that one of Ammon Bundy's defense attorneys, Dan Hill, is revising the witness list.

Lamb speculates that one of the prosecutors may be called to the stand.   Assistant US Attorney Nadia Ahmed has come under scrutiny in her role as a Department of Justice attorney involved in the civil litigation against Cliven Bundy with Mr. Petrie and for her presence  during the protests leading up to the April 12, 2014 standoff.

There will be a Wednesday session in the trial (November 22nd).

(UPDATED LATE TUESDAY, EARLY WEDNESDAY)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: MONDAY TRIAL SESSION STARTS WITH DEFENSE, PROSECUTION ARGUING

John Lamb reports that much of the morning was occupied with arguing over what was going to be allowed in court regarding water rights and other matters mentioned in the proesecution' motion filed Sunday.  

Judge Navarro also heard arguments about the FBI threat assessment.   After a four day buildup around the ranch (April 5-8, 2014) the bureau decided that the Bundy's did not pose a high threat.   But the Bureau of Land Management considered the threat level "high".

Navarro will limit statements that she considers "self serving" from Cliven Bundy.

Cliven Bundy's defense attorney Bret Whipple was talking today about the presence of federal prosecutors ('US Attorneys') at a civil deposition.   Whipple said their presence amounts to entrapment over the 2014 standoff.

First word about the Monday November 20th session of the trial came via a tweet from Ryan Lenz, a Senior Investigative of the Southern Poverty Law Center and "Hate Watch" regarding Whipple's argument over the civil deposition.

The presence of one of the prosecutors,  Assistant US Attorney Nadia Ahmed, at the April 2014 protests was noted in court, today.   She was close to the lead BLM agent Dan Love while at the protests.

At the time of the protests Ahmed was not a federal prosecutor, but a lawyer working for the Department of Justice according to trial observer John Lamb

Love's conduct during the days leading up to the April 12, 2014 standoff is important to the case being presented by the defense.     Dan Love was fired by the BLM after an internal investigation and was questioned during an evidence hearing before the trial.   The defense at the first two trials was not allowed to call Love to the witness stand, but this may happen at the third trial if Judge Navarro allows it.

Attorney Whipple asserted in the morning arguments that the standoff of April 12th was a set up by the BLM.

Another associate of the prosecutor Nadia Ahmed from her days at the Department of Justice was on the stand today  (Monday November 20th).   Lawyer Terry Petrie testified about civil cases launched against Cliven Bundy.

Petrie noted that Cliven Bundy believed he had rights to stand up for like America's founders and like Rosa Parks.

Among the new evidence on the table in the trial are redacted emails that are not allowed to be read out loud in the courtroom.


(UPDATED THROUGH LATE MONDAY INTO EARLY TUESDAY)



(Editorial Note;  Reposts of these posts on "Free Republic" have had all caps taken off.  What is being posted on this blog is striking a nerve causing critics to find ways to attack.   FR does have an all caps rule but they do allow caps and small letters in the words.   What was done today means people are attacking these posts on style rules because content rules can't be argued.)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF TRIAL BREAKING:  FEDS FILE MOTION TO BAN WATER RIGHTS AS DEFENSE

"......Saying he was quoting Mark Twain, Whipple said: 'Alcohol is for drinking, water is for fighting'.    In Cliven Bundy's mind, 'he has a right to the range because he has used it for so long'"........

"Oregon Live" story published 11/14/2017 on opening arguments from Bret Whipple, Cliven Bundy's attorney

".....Evidence and arguments of water rights could easily cause the jury to be influenced by the notion that Cliven possessed an ownership interest in the land because he may have possessed water rights on the land, and that he was wronged when ordered to remove his cattle.  Indeed, one juror presented that question to Ms. Rugwell, asking whether water rights gives ownership rights.   As seen from this question, evidence and arguments of water rights invites the jury to evaluate the validity of the Court Orders,  and thus potentially engage in jury nullification......"

Excerpt of prosecution motion of 11/19/2017

The prosecution in the third Bunkerville Standoff trial, led by Acting US Attorney Steve Myhre, filed a motion yesterday (Sunday November 19th) to prohibit water rights from being used as a defense argument in the trial.

The motion mentions " preclude the defendants from introducing evidence of water rights, fencing laws, open range laws and any other topic that would constitute a collateral attack on the merits of the 1998 and 2013 Court Orders and that could lead to jury nullification."

LINK TO PROSECTION MOTION

Court resumes later today.

Next post later today.

OREGON STANDOFF:  BUNDY LAWYER TACKLED, TASED, ARRESTED, NOW FIGHTING DISBARMENT

It was dramatic enough in the courtroom in Portland when all seven defendants accused of being the 'leaders' of the Oregon Standoff protest were found not guilty on October 27, 2016.

But there was more to come as Ammon Bundy's lawyer, Marcus Mumford, argued for Bundy to be released.  The federal government countered about a "retainer" on him for the charges in Nevada but couldn't produce any document stating that when asked by Mumford.   

They claimed it was "in the office" or something to that effect.

A group of federal marshals descended on Mumford, tackling, tasing him and taking him into custody.

Criminal charges were filed against Mumford, but later dropped.

Now the senior federal judge  (Michael W. Mosman appointed by George W. Bush) in Oregon wants Mumford disbarred from practice in Oregon's federal court.

There will be a hearing for Mr. Mumford to present his case against disbarment in Portland on January 8th with two days set aside for the hearing.

Mumford now has sworn declarations from his legal assistant and the attorneys for other defendants  involved in the trial pointing to animosity towards him by US District Judge Anna J. Brown and US Marshals at the trial.

They speak of 'over the top' security from the marshals.

Reporter Maxine Bernstein of "Oregon Live" wrote a story published Friday and here are excerpts:

"They described a lunch break in the middle of the trial when one deputy marshal told the defense lawyers and their clients that their time was up for conferring together."

"Mumford said something like, 'Just five more minutes guys'.  Another deputy marshal apparently charged toward Mumford and 'dressed him down for 'disrespecting' another deputy." according to the defense lawyers' statements."

"Amanda B. Mendenhall, an associate in Mumford's law firm who helped him during most of the trial, said she stood between the deputy marshal and Mumford that afternoon.   She wrote that she believed  'the marshals had been gunning for Marcus for some time'."

"Several  defense lawyers, as well as Mumford, surmised that the government suddenly dismissed the criminal charges against him after Mumford's lawyer asked for all texts and email messages between the marshals during the Bundy trial and likely found 'unprofessional and embarrassing communications'."

Its sad to see what has transpired in both the Oregon Standoff and Bunkerville Standoff cases in regards to the hostility of federal judges, federal prosecutors and federal law enforcement towards protesters trying to defend Constitutional rights by using their Constitutional rights.

But its gone beyond the protesters-defendants.   This hostility has also been visible towards those who support the people in jail or in the courts including defense lawyers.

Marcus Mumford ended up being Ammon Bundy's lawyer after an Oregon lawyer, Mike Arnold,  pulled out of the case.   Arnold was targeted by other lawyers with ethics complaints to the Bar Association when it became known was representing Ammon Bundy.


LINK BELOW FOR 'OREGON LIVE' STORY OF 11-17-2017

Oregon Live Story 11-17

Mumford tacked, tased, arrested video

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: "MR. PHILPOT, DO YOU WANT ME TO DECLARE A MISTRIAL RIGHT NOW", JUDGE NAVARRO CRACKS DOWN ON THIRD TRIAL

Ammon Bundy's defense attorney Morgan Philpot was questioning Bureau of Land Management official Mary Jo Rugwell in cross examination Thursday afternoon when he wanted to bring up new information the defense has obtained about an FBI 'threat assessment".

The bureau began to prepare for a confrontation around Bundy Ranch with a forward operations base and deployment of SWAT but then decided the Bundy's posed no threat.

The prosecution objected quickly saying the "threat assessment" was information too sensitive to discuss in court.

Mr. Philpot stressed the importance of bringing up the threat assessment to Judge Navarro, but then she became angry and made her comment as quoted by trial observer John Lamb: 

"Mr. Philpot do you want me to declare a mistrial right now.   This is not called for."

The prosecution and defense then approached the bench for a private sidebar, so the jury couldn't hear.

Reporter Maxine Bernstein of "Oregon Live" was not in Las Vegas but she had a re tweet from someone who was there saying that Judge Navarro wants all objections discussed in private at a sidebar rather than spoken out loud in the courtroom.

Judge Navarro made that ruling after the jury had left the courtroom at the end of Thursday's trial session according to John Lamb in his video posted on the "JGrady" account on You Tube.

It appears that the Judge Navarro who wants to restrict the defense has again appeared for this third trial.

But John Lamb in his videos indicates that evidence of the Bureau of Land Management's aggressiveness and the conduct of the lead BLM agent, Dan Love, has reached the jury.

Thursday's court session ran six hours from 12:30 to 6:30pm.

Judge Navarro told the prosecution and defense lawyers she did not want to have a 6:30pm ending again, but wanted to end every day at 4:30pm.

John Lamb in his late Thursday video said the trial will continue Monday and Tuesday in the coming week and possibly on Wednesday.

(UPDATED THRU SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18TH)

OREGON STANDOFF: OBAMA US ATTORNEY WHO PROSECUTED PROTESTERS KEPT PERMANENT BY PRESIDENT TRUMP

Billy J. Williams, the Acting US Attorney in Oregon  named by the Obama Administration (Attorney General Loretta Lynch) in 2015, is now President Trump's nominee for that post.

In a statement, the White House said that Williams and the other three US Attorney nominees in other parts of the country shared Trump's vision for "Making America Safe Again".

Williams prosecuted the protesters involved in the Oregon Standoff including the seven "leaders" found not guilty in October of 2016 and then prosecuted other protesters adding misdemeanor charges onto felonies and using a jury consultant.   His efforts along with US District Judge Anna J. Brown's restrictions on the defense's ability to present evidence and her bench trial on the misdemeanors all worked together to get convictions of the lesser people involved in the protest.

The two Democrats who represent Oregon in the US Senate, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley urged President Trump to nominate Williams to the post.

Williams was also endorsed by the Oregon State Sheriff's Association that backed the FBI led law enforcement efforts that became deadly and aggressive during the non violent Oregon Standoff protest.

(LaVoy Finicum was killed and Ryan Bundy injured in the January 26, 2016 "traffic stop" on US Route 395 in Harney County, Oregon and on February 10, 2016 FBI armored vehicles assaulted the parking lot of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge where the last four unarmed protesters were camping)

They sheriff's organization took a stand when one sheriff known as a "Constitutional Sheriff", Glenn Palmer of Grant County, urged a negotiated settlement of the protest including the release of  jailed ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond.    Ammon Bundy started the protest when the Hammond's were forced back into federal prison to serve mandatory five year terrorism sentences for lighting a backfire to protest their property.

(UPDATED THROUGH SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH)

OREGON STANDOFF UPDATE: DUANE EHMER SENTENCED AFTER RIGGED TRIAL CONVICTION

When the first Oregon Standoff trial of leaders of the early 2016 protest ended with not guilty verdicts for all seven defendants plus the tackling, tasing and arrest of Ammon Bundy's defense attorney Marcus Mumford, the jury was then taken to a meeting with US District Judge Anna J. Brown.

Judge Brown questioned the jury as to their reasoning behind the not guilty verdicts.

This was the beginning of a rigged process for the trial of the second group of defendants.

The federal prosecutors tacked misdemeanor charges onto the felony ones, with Judge Brown holding a bench trial on those charges instead of a jury one.

During the second trial, Judge Brown limited defense witnesses and arguments in ways she didn't in the first trial.

One of those who ended up being convicted in that trial, Duane Ehmer of Irrigon, Oregon, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison.   Before passing sentence, Judge Brown rejected a push by the prosecutor to increase the sentence under a "terrorism enhancement"

Ehmer has agreed to pay 10,000 dollars in restitution for digging the trench on January 27, 2016.  His purpose was defensive with fear of an imminent FBI assault after the violent "felony traffic stop" the day before that killed LaVoy Finicum and injured Ryan Bundy.

Ehmer is supposed to report to prison on January 24th.  His lawyer said he intends to appeal.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  PROSECUTION HID INFORMATION ON CAMERAS AND SNIPERS, JUDGE NAVARRO BANS VERBAL OBJECTIONS IN TRIAL

"Based upon the government's motion this morning, the court's subsequent ruling, and the content of the government's opening statements (discussed in detail below)--it is apparent that the legal grounds for mistrial exist, and the remedy is essential to protect Mr. Ammon Bundy (and the other co-defendants) and their due process and other legal rights......"

A second motion to dismiss charges filed by Ammon Bundy's attorneys November 14, 2017

At last week's evidence hearing Acting US Attorney Steven Myrhe, who is the lead prosecutor in the Bunkerville Standoff case, insisted there was little information to provide on any surveillance cameras or armed law enforcement around Bundy Ranch in the days leading up to the April 12, 2014 standoff.

But after hearing the arguments, US District Judge Gloria M. Navarro did order the prosecution to provide detailed information to the defense by Noon on Sautrday.

The defense lawyers for Ammon Bundy filed a second dismissal motion on Tuesday after declining to make an opening statement and after the Monday evidence hearing that went into a closed session with the public ushered out.

In the motion, attorneys Morgan Philpot and Dan Hill lay out the new previously unknown information revealed to them including a log file kept with four days of video surveillance conducted by the FBI (April 5 to 8, 2014).

They reveal that the FBI had established a "Forward Operating Base" a short distance from the Bundy Home and that FBI SWAT operated from there and other locations around the Bundy home.

This came at a time Cliven Bundy put out word about being surrounded,and a video was posted of the beating and arrest of Dave Bundy by federal law enforcement. This led supporters to arrive by the hundreds at Bundy Ranch.

Here's more from their second dismissal motion:

"But what the government didn't address in it opening was the pre-arrest buildup of law enforcement.   Specifically, the government argued that after the "arrest of Dave Bundy" the "message changed" and the social media messages escalated to "they have got my boys" and they have "snipers" pointing at us.  But, as the Court knows, the "sniper" message has some factual context just disclosed to the defense.   Namely that fully armed BLM officers with AR-15 assault rifles and FBI SWAT with "snipers" had set up a Forward Operating Base less than two miles from the Bundy Ranch home--several days before the Dave Bundy arrest.   Thus, the new information provided and the "review" the government admitted it needs to do, concerns the defense's ability to use this newly disclosed factual basis-to address in opening, the evidence previewed by the government.

Further, the government stated that the social media messaging put out by "the Bundy" that "now they have our house surrounded" came after the Dave Bundy arrest, and that it was "false" but the prosecution didn't disclose until the last few days, that it came while an army of 20+ FBI agents had pre-planned and begun to establish the FOB Malcom a short distance from the Bundy Ranch home, beginning April 5 (before the Dave Bundy arrest).  This is significant because "all" of the actions of the defendants, according to the Superseding Indictment,  were undertaken and performed with the intent and purpose of "threatening intimidating and extorting" federal officers........."

Second motion to dismiss from Ammon Bundy's attorneys November 14, 2017

  

Bureau of Land Management official Mary Jo Rugwell was set to be on the stand as the trial continued on Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas.

BUT JUDGE NAVARRO MADE SOME NEWS DURING THE HALF DAY COURT SESSION BY DECIDING THAT NO VERBAL OBJECTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED DURING THE TRIAL, THEY WILL BE HANDLED AT SIDEBAR WITH PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN HER AND ATTORNEYS.

Judge Navarro will allow Ryan Bundy to visit Bunkerville with other defense lawyers this weekend.
Ryan Bundy is released on house arrest and is moving from a halfway house to a cousin's home in Las Vegas.

(MORE TO COME)

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: WHY AMMON BUNDY'S LAWYER DECLINED OPENING STATEMENT, REVELATIONS OF SNIPERS AT CLOSED EVIDENCE HEARING, TRIAL CONTINUES IN THE AFTERNOON

Late in the night, "Oregon Live" reporter Maxine Bernstein posted information on her Twitter feed showing the reasoning behind Ammon Bundy's lawyer, Morgan Philpot, declining to make an opening statement based on what happened during Monday's evidence hearing.

The closed evidence hearing when the public was ushered out on Monday involved discussion of what was revealed by the prosecution in the case last weekend under a deadline imposed by US District Judge Gloria Navarro.

"During the the last nine days, from November 3 to November 12, the defense has learned that in support of one wireless camera and the related surveillance, SAC Love employed, dispatched and inserted multiple BLM and NPS officers who were heavily armed with AR-style assault rifles and who used armored vehicles all around the Bundy Ranch home from April 5 thru April 8, 2014.   At the same time the FBI was deploying and utilizing multiple "snipers" in the area and keeping administrative logs of this information while the surveillance camera's live video feed was being transmitted to SAC Love's Incident Command trailer (as well as to two previously undisclosed locations; an FBI Tactical Operations Center ("TOC") and a field office Emergency Operations Center ("EOC")......"

"...Just yesterday prosecutors admitted that the log files exists, and producing it to the defense has revealed that it alone contains multiple, previously undisclosed facts related to the live video feed and observations made by previously undisclosed personnel while watching that feed.   Are these log entries material and helpful to the defense?  In several entries information confirms the existence of FBI snipers stationed at the FOB on Gold Butte Road, the dates and times of these snipers being 'inserted' at specific locations; and other entries that purportedly describe conduct and incidents from April 5 thru 8, 2014 of Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Harold Bundy, Cliven Bundy and several other previously undisclosed 'surveillants'."

Shades of Ruby Ridge at Bundy Ranch?

This afternoon at 12:30 Las Vegas time, Mary Jo Bagwell of the Bureau of Land Management will continue her testimony.  She is the first government witness in the third Bunkerville Standoff trial.

Today is  the last day of the trial this week.    The trial will resume on Monday.

Ryan Bundy stunned the courtroom with his powerful opening argument yesterday.  He is representing himself.

"Ryan Payne is my hero" he said speaking of his fellow defendant in the trial.   Payne and others came to help the Bundy's when video of the beating of Dave Bundy by federal authorities went viral on the internet.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: RYAN BUNDY  TELLS JURY 'WE NEED YOU TO SEE THROUGH THEIR LIES' IN OPENING ARGUMENTS

"The most amazing part is after he was done the entire audience the judge, the prosecutors, nobody said a word for two to three minutes.  We were just  so stunned and amazed.   You could have heard a pencil drop."

Bret Whipple-Cliven Bundy's attorney describes Ryan Bundy's opening arguments in video with John Lamb on "JGrady" You Tube account 11/15/2017

Ryan Bundy spoke in his own defense at the third Bunkerville Standoff trial projecting an image of his family on the screen as he presented his opening arguments to the jury.

He said the federal government's Bureau of Land Management was trying to manage his father off the land and his purpose was not to impede the government but "to protect our rights, our life, our liberty, our property".

Any impeding, threatening or extorting came from the government, not the protesters who were herded into pig pens (the "First Amendment area") during the days leading up to the April 12, 2014 standoff at a wash along Interstate 15 in northern Clark County, Nevada.

Ryan Bundy was emotional at times as he argued and the jurors passed candies to each other.   The candy being provided in part to help keep them awake.  One juror was nudged awake yesterday.

Any statement he'd do "whatever it takes" was not a threat, but a commitment to stand for his rights and freedom.

Trial observer John Lamb noted that there were some tears in the courtroom as well as Ryan Bundy's emotions in his opening arguments.

Ryan Payne's attorney Ryan Norwood argued that his client came to Nevada to prevent violence, to protect the right of the people there to protest.   Norwood said: "He wanted people to be able to protest.  He wanted everyone to be safe.

In a video posted this evening, trial observer John Lamb noted that at this trial the defense  is getting to tell the jury why people exercising their Second Amendment rights came in the spring of 2014 to support the Bundy's.

The jury is getting to see the federal authorities tasing Ammon Bundy, attacking Margaret Houston and bruising up Dave Bundy.

The prosecution called their first witness before the end of the day.

A Bureau of Land Management official testified that Cliven Bundy was not allowed to use the land for cattle grazing after February of 1993.

Mary Jo Rugwell noted that the desert tortoise has been considered endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service since 1990 and that Cliven Bundy's cattle were impacting their habitat.

Rugwell said that Cliven Bundy was considered in "continuous trespass" for using the land for cattle grazing and that "as a last resort" a decision was made in 2011 to impound his cattle.

(MORE TO COME IN AM POST)

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".

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:   CLIVEN BUNDY TELLS JUDGE NAVARRO 'LET'S GET IT DONE' AND TRIAL BEGINS

When asked by the judge if he wanted a one-week delay, Cliven Bundy's short reply was offered.

Defendant Ryan Bundy also opposed a trial delay, but added he would support one if the co-defendants were freed from jail like he was to a halfway house yesterday.

Prosecutors came into court seeking a one week delay while FBI emails from the weeks leading up to the standoff were sought out and reviewed.

Defense attorneys for Ryan Payne and Ammon Bundy asked for a mistrial.

Acting US Attorney Steven Myrhe offered opening arguments in the morning, claiming that the government's behavior was not the issue in the case.    Myhre placed blame at the feet of the four defendants (Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne).

He said:  "This case is not about protesting.  This case is about instilling fear through the use of violence".    That's a pretty over the top statement about an event where no one was hurt and everyone went home afterwards.

Myhre insisted there were no land rights, First Amendment or Second Amendment arguments to justify the protesters actions, the federal government controls the land 'for everybody'.    It was law and order versus the end of a gun in his opinion.

Myhre admitted today in his opening arguments that armed federal officers,  "snipers" as described by trial observer John Lamb, were in the hills above protestors to protect the federal officers who he claims were threatened.   This information was not admitted at the first two trials.

In one of his videos posted today Lamb said that at one point the prosecution argued that having Cliven Bundy's cows using public land is harmful to the land and the public.

Cliven Bundy's problems began in the 1980's with enforcement of the Endangered Species Act that drove all of his neighbors out of the ranching business.

At one point during the opening arguments for the prosecution, a court clerk approached a juror to nudge her awake.

Early this morning before the opening arguments another one of the 19 men implicated in the Bunkerville Standoff, Micah McGuire, entered a plea deal and pled guilty to impeding federal officers.   He will be sentenced in February and was released today.

Cliven Bundy's defense attorney Bret Whipple laid out the history that led to the protest, noting that over 50 ranchers have been run off their land in Clark County, Nevada and that one remains, Cliven Bundy.

He also said that there was no crime committed during the standoff at the wash on April 12, 2014 because the federal government's impounding operation was over.

Whipple also revealed that undercover FBI agents were among the protestors.

He argued that Cliven Bundy was trying to hold onto water rights by having his cattle on the land.

Ryan Bundy arrived at court this morning in a white limo from his halfway house accommodation after Judge Navarro ordered his release yesterday.

Court observer John Lamb called his mode of transport fitting 'for a hero'.

(MORE TO COME IN A NEW POST WEDNESDAY AM)

UNIPARTY NEVER TRUMP BANZAI CHARGE ON ROY MOORE MUST BE OPPOSED BY THE PRESIDENT

The posts in the cyber universe all pointed to Roy Moore being destroyed quickly with the usual Democrat suspects joined by Republican Establishment point men Mitt Romney and John McCain calling for his end as a US Senate candidate.

Over the weekend the destructive efforts seemed to pick up with Senator Tim Scott and on Monday Majority Leader Mitch McConnell piling on to say Moore must go.

Rumors about Jeff Sessions being a replacement write-in candidate were put out along with statements that even if elected Moore would not or should not be allowed to be a Senator.

It all seems like a rehash of the trashing of Donald Trump on sex related matters last year with the usual MSM and Democrat and Republican Establishment Never Trump suspects joined by some newcomers apparently to pile  on Roy Moore. 

It shows how desperate powerful forces are to destroy Judge Moore.

It also shows the importance of President Trump's intervention in the situation to support Roy Moore and not allow the witch hunting lynch mob from "the Swamp" have its way.

The Romney-McCain 'tip of the spear' call for Moore to drop out reminds me of what they did on behalf of the elite Corporatist interests in 2014 when they called on then Arizona governor Jan Brewer to veto a religious freedom bill to protect gay marriage dissenters.   Brewer complied with their demand backed up by big business interests including the National Football League (threatening to move the Super Bowl out of Phoenix).

Moore's relentless opposition to same sex marriage puts him in direct opposition to those big business interests. 

The big business interests also support cheap labor across borders and low taxes for themselves with the little people bearing the burden of the welfare state which is OK with them as  long as they don't have to pay for it.

What we have is a coordinated assault that now puts the likes of left-wing hit lawyer Gloria Allred in bed with Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.

And you don't want to call it a Uniparty.

So-called "Conservative Media" and "Tea Party Conservatives" are committing suicide by showing the grassroots how fake and phony they were all along, just fronting for the Republican Establishment.

I think it was Rush Limbaugh who coined the notion of the 'media anal exam' for political candidates.

Well, I would call this even worse.   Roy Moore is being dragged into the swamp and 'gang sodomized' by the Corporatist elites through their political and media minions.

We in the grassroots supported Donald Trump when the same suspects went after him with accusers and a recording where President Trump was heard talking about grabbing women's private parts.

President Trump must support Roy Moore in the face of this vicious attack so similar to the one launched on him last year.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:    PROSEUCTION AND DEFENSE IN CLOSED SESSION, THEN JUDGE RULES TO HOLD AMMON, RELEASE RYAN BUNDY

Late today,  US District Judge Gloria M. Navarro decided to keep Ammon Bundy in jail but reversed her decision last week releasing Ryan Bundy to a halfway house.   Ryan Bundy will defend himself during the trial.   

The trial begins tomorrow (Tuesday November 14th). 

Maxine Bernstein of "Oregon Live" tweets that the government apparently made "misrepresentations" at last week's detention hearing.

Trial observer John Lamb was more straight to the point, saying that the government "lied" to Judge Navarro causing her change about his release.   One of the lies they told was a written claim by federal marshals that foul language had been used by Ryan Bundy.

In another tweet,  Bernstein said "odd that Judge Navarro didn't explain her decision now to release Ryan Bundy.....just said it as an aside".

Ryan Bundy was released from custody at the federal courthouse as sunset arrived  in Las Vegas and was hugged by family members.  He then left enroute to a halfway house.

In open court, there was debate over the evidence between lead prosecutor Acting US Attorney Steve Myhre and defense lawyers.

Judge Navarro was in a closed session earlier today with federal prosecutors and defense attorneys discussing matters related to FBI cameras, e-mails pertaining to fired BLM agent  Dan Love, missing documents and Dan Love's missing laptop.

Judge Navarro rejected  motions to dismiss charges before the closed session began saying there is nothing to justify them.    Navarro said the government needs to review materials related to Dan Love, who led the Bureau of Land Management operations in and around Bundy Ranch.

Some emails apparently contain offensive or politically incorrect language and there is dispute over whether that language should be kept redacted or not.

Judge Navarro also said the defense can question agents who worked to Dan Love  on whether they were fearful of retaliation or influenced in writing reports.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: PRETRIAL ACTIVITY CONTINUES TODAY

US District Judge Gloria Navarro will resume a detention hearing today for Ammon Bundy.

She's already denied release to the three other defendants in the third trial (Cliven Bundy, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne).

So one should not hold their breath expecting any pretrial release for Ammon Bundy.

We may find out today if defense lawyers are satisfied with Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre's compliance with Judge Navarro's order to release info on federal snipers and FBI cameras used in the days leading up to the April 12, 2014 standoff in a wash near the Bundy Ranch.    The prosecution was supposed to provide defense lawyers with more details by Noon Saturday.

Myrhe's been defiant since release of minimal details about both in the last week or so during a series of evidence hearings in the case, expressing the view its not his job to help the defense by providing details.

As it stands now the trial for the four defendants is set to get underway tomorrow (Tuesday November 14th) at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas.

(FOR POSSIBLE NEWS ON TODAY'S ACTIVITIES GO TO MAXINE BERNSTEIN TWITTER PAGE OR 'JGrady' ACCOUNT ON YOU TUBE FOR VIDEO REPORTS,  NEW POST HERE AFTER DETAILS EMERGE LATER TODAY)

OREGON STANDOFF:  ROAD NAMED IN HONOR OF LAVOY FINICUM IN MOHAVE COUNTY, ARIZONA

Last Monday the Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to honor Oregon Standoff protest spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum by renaming a portion of road.

The two-mile stretch of Yellowstone Road will now be called LaVoy Finicum Road.

Supporters of the name change said that LaVoy "had the courage to stand up for what he believed in" as reported by "OregonLive" which also reported that those opposed expressed the opinion "he went about things the wrong way".

Finicum was shot and killed during a "felony traffic stop" operation run by the FBI and supported by state and local police along US Route 395 in Harney County, Oregon.

Six shots were fired by Oregon State Police and two originally unaccounted for but then linked to FBI agent W. Joseph Astarita, who's charged with lying about firing the first two shots during the incident.

Astarita's trial date has been moved back twice, its now set for May 8th, 2018.

Good move by local officials in Arizona.

Those who supported the name change were right about LaVoy having the courage to stand up for what he believed in.   

Finicum was part of a protest launched by Ammon Bundy in the name of  "loving thy neighbor" as in Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond, jailed on a mandatory five year sentence as terrorists for lighting a backfire to protect their property.

LaVoy Finicum made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom for fellow Americans.  He deserves even more honor and especially some justice for his killing.

Those who opposed by saying LaVoy went about it the wrong way have been proven wrong since people arrested during the "felony traffic stop" were found NOT GUILTY of felony charges by a jury on October 27th last year.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  HIGH NOON DEADLINE FOR US ATTORNEY TO TURN OVER INFO ON FBI SNIPERS, CAMERAS, LAWSUIT AGAINST SESSIONS 

Acting US Attorney Steve Myhre and his team have until 12 Noon  today (Saturday November 11th) to turn over to defense lawyers information related to any armed federal officers deployed around Bundy Ranch during the protests that led to the Bunkerville Standoff.

They also have to provide details about the operation of a surveillance camera or cameras by the FBI during the protests in March and April 2014 around Bundy Ranch.

US District Judge Gloria Navarro issued the order Wednesday after the US Attorney's office sent documents to defense lawyers mentioning the armed federal officers conducting "surveillance" around Bundy Ranch and a National Park Service employee revealed the FBI live feed from a surveillance camera, with Mr. Myhre offering few details initially about the camera or cameras used.

Judicial activist Larry Klayman has filed a lawsuit alleging prosecutorial misdonduct against the Justice Department and FBI including Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director Christopher Wray on behalf of Cliven Bundy.

Klayman wants the Justice Department to investigate any destruction of evidence or withholding of evidence by the government in the case.

Good for Klayman.

Very few have been willing to take a stand about the conduct of this case.   One Congressman, Raul Labrador, of Idaho, offered a tepid letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions that spoke of a "possible miscarriage of justice" in the case.

Some Republicans in New Hampshire have made noises about Jerry DeLemus.   DeLemus was co-chair of Veterans for Trump during the New Hampshire Primary who pled guilty for his role in Bunkerville.  

Judge Navarro slapped an 87 month (7 and a quarter year)  sentence on him, more than the prosecutor wanted (six years).  She called him a "vigilante bully".

The noise made about DeLemus by grassroots activists only was able to get him put in a federal prison in Massachusetts near his wife to serve his sentence.

ROY MOORE SMEARED IN A WITCHES HUNT BREW

"Limbo lower now.  Limbo lower now.  How low can you go?........You'll be a limbo star.  How low can you go"

Chubby Checker-"Limbo Rock" (1962)

In the campaign for the December 12th Special Election for the US Senate seat in Alabama, I fully expected Judge Roy Moore to be demonized as a child molester and or abuser of animals and more.

So the dirty smear attack of the last 24 hours comes as absolutely no surprise.

It was as predictable as the sun rising in the East.

Last year we were subjected to the sexual allegation assaults on Donald J. Trump culminating in the "grab *****" story.

This allegation goes a little beyond that, a sort of Anita Hill on steroids allegation of some sexual assault in 1979 on a 14 year old girl  and the that three other girls aged 16 to 18 were approached by Moore and taken out on dates where he kissed them.

Moore was quick to denounce the Democrats for smearing him but its worth noting that Republicans were on cue cutting him down as well just like they cut down Donald Trump when he was trashed last year in a similar way.

This kind of allegation comes amid the flood of allegations sweeping the entertainment industry in the wake of "Harvey Weinstein".

Some may have thought the "Weinstein Matter" would be some of intramural fight among the kind of people many of us dislike, but it has only opened up the floodgates for allegations here, there and everywhere.

A decade or so ago across the Atlantic allegations surfaced that a deceased BBC radio and television host, Jimmy Saville, had been involved in sexual abuse of countless children leading to a flood of allegations inside the BBC and beyond in the entertainment industry and politics.

Some men were tried and went to jail like entertainer Rolf Harris, singer of  the song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" in the early 1960's.   Harris was sentenced in his eighties to three years in prison for molesting a teenage girl in a swimming pool decades ago.

Caught in the swirl of allegations were a former Prime Minister, Edward Heath, and a former Church of England bishop, George Bell.   Both men were investigated after their deaths.

Allegations of child abuse were also leveled against one of the UK's most popular and renowned entertainers, Sir Cliff Richard.   Richard who identifies strongly as a Christian was put through almost two years of scrutiny before prosecutors found "insufficient evidence" involving  the allegations of four men who claimed he assaulted them in their youth.

Roy Moore is being targeted because  of a  "target rich environment" in the present circumstances in the US just like the one in the UK in the last decade.

One other thought which opens a boatload of worms is this.   Every January we have a national holiday honoring a man who I admire for the struggle he waged with the political machine of the Democrat Party in the 1960's.

He was spied on by the FBI in retaliation for his success and exposed as a man who engaged in orgies with prostitutes.   Four FBI technicians quoted Dr. Martin Luther King as saying "I'm f***ing for God" for author Taylor Branch.

When Donald Trump was trounced on sexual allegations last year, I noted that we are all sinners in regards to sex, in thoughts, words and deeds.

I guess if we've all been wrong when it comes to sex and we have been just like Jimmy Carter ("In my heart I have lusted after women" as stated to "Playboy" in 1976) perhaps walls should be erected on our nation's borders (how ironic) and the whole nation declared a prison.

I don't ignore the need for some criminal justice to be applied to wrongdoing, but I do note Roy Moore's denial of the allegations and hope we will get in behind him from President Trump on down in the days ahead.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  CLIVEN BUNDY DENIED RELEASE ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS AT DETENTION HEARING IN CASE FOR ALL FOUR DEFENDANTS

"Gloria Navarro, you are an evil, cold-hearted woman.....You are a liar.  I love you dad"

Cliven Bundy's daughter speaks out in courtroom as marshals remove her when he is denied release at detention hearing-November 9, 2017

Citing the notion that Cliven Bundy does not obey the federal government,  US District Judge Gloria Navarro denied Cliven Bundy release during a detention hearing today in Las Vegas, claiming he was a flight risk.

She made her decision "quickly" as reported by Maxine Bernstein of "OregonLive".

The comments of Bundy's oldest daughter Sharee Cox characterizing the judge as a "liar" came in response to definitive statements from Judge Navarro that Cliven Bundy was a threat and could harm federal officers.

Trial observers John Lamb and Kelli Stewart noted that she was surrounded by federal marshals in the courtroom even before she spoke because of her body language in response to Judge Navarro's decision.   She started speaking as the marshals acted to move her out of the courtroom.

Bundy has been imprisoned without bail since he was arrested in February of 2016 in Portland, Oregon.

Cliven Bundy's attorney Bret Whipple argued that all Bundy cares about is his family and he is no flight risk or threat to anyone.   He would stay at a rental home where a retired Las Vegas police officer lives.

Whipple also noted a deterioration in his health since he was imprisoned, starting with 20 teeth and now only having 10-15.

Testitfying about his potential release Ammon Bundy said he would abide by conditions including wearing a GPS monitor.

By the end of the day Judge Navarro has decided not to release Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne as well with further arguments on the potential release of Ammon Bundy set for Monday.

The judge does seem to be biased and only because this case is under media scrutiny does she seem to be going through the motions of having evidence and detention hearings.

The trial  is set for opening arguments on Tuesday of next week.

 ( MORE TO COME)

 BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF: NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT FEDERAL SNIPERS AND CAMERAS IN COURT TODAY, JUDGE SETS NEW DEADLINE FOR FEDS TO TURN OVER INFORMATION

Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre was stumbling through an evidence hearing today in the Bunkerville Standoff case, continuing to deny detailed knowledge of an FBI surveillance camera or cameras at Bundy Ranch during the protests there in the spring of 2014.

He leveled the accusation that the defense was trying to delay the trial.

Myrhe spoke of one camera being set up between April 5th and 6th and saying that the camera had been made inoperable, suggesting that Ryan Bundy (one of the defendants) may have been responsible for that.   Myhre said the camera ended up being moved to a different location.

In a video posted on the "JGrady" account on You Tube trial observer John Lamb noted that Myrhe was saying that the FBI personnel involved in the camera operation no longer work in Las Vegas using that as a rationale for not having more information about it.

But the US Attorney's office revealed new information not previously disclosed to defense lawyers on Tuesday that federal officers armed with AR-15 rifles and dressed in camouflage were posted outside the Bundy Ranch.

When the Bundy Family reached out for help calling on the public to come to their aid in 2014, they said they felt surrounded and that federal snipers were positioned around them.   The prosecution has accused defendants in the case who made these statements of being liars.

A nephew of Cliven Bundy, Arthur Scott Sessions, testified at the hearing that he saw three "football sized" cameras at different locations around the ranch and a protest site designated a "free speech area" by the federal government.   Sessions said the cameras were in place in the period leading up to the April 12, 2014 Bunkerville Standoff at a nearby wash along Interstate 15.

In the end US District Judge Gloria Navarro decided there was sufficient evidence presented at the hearing for her to issue a new order to the prosecution.

She has given the federal government until Saturday at noon to disclose  detailed information about any surveillance cameras and armed federal officers posted in the area of the Bundy home.  She also suggested that the person who knows the most about the camera operations be identified.

Meanwhile, lawyers for defendant Ryan Payne have filed a motion to dismiss charges based on the federal government's recording of phone calls between defendant Blaine Cooper and his defense lawyer and their denial of possessing those recordings when asked about them.

A detention hearing for the four defendants whose trial has been delayed by the new evidence revealed this week (Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne) is set for 930am tomorrow (Thursday November 10th) before Judge Navarro.

Also John Lamb mentioned in his video that a parade is planned this Saturday morning in Las Vegas at 9:45am in support of the defendant.   Part of that parade will include LaVoy Finicum's widow Jeanette riding LaVoy's horse.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF TRIAL:  OPENING STATEMENTS DELAYED ONE WEEK OVER FBI SPY CAM ISSUE, HEARINGS TOMORROW, THURSDAY

US District Judge Gloria J. Navarro decided to delay the opening statements in the third Bunkerville Standoff trial until next Tuesday following last Friday's revelation by a park service employee of a previously unknown FBI surveillance camera overlooking Bundy Ranch.

A hearing on the issue is set for tomorrow (Wednesday November 8th).   The hearing will start at 1pm to give the government more time to gather information about the surveillance camera or cameras operated by the FBI during the standoff.

When Ryan Bundy filed a motion about the camera back in August the lead prosecutor Acting US Attorney Steve Myhre rebuffed it claiming it was something 'fantastical' but today for the first time Myhre admitted the existence of a camera or cameras used by the FBI during the standoff.

When Judge Navarro has to operate under increased scrutiny, she tends to be less hostile to the defense.  Some observers of her behavior describe it as "immature".

Navarro acted more proper and correct in the courtroom during a previous Bunkerville trial when former Congressman and US Attorney Bob Barr was present as an observer and this trial with its increased publicity seems to be driving her towards at least an appearance of being respectful of the defense.

Prosecutors claim they did their "due diligence" in the matter.   There are questions as to whether other spy cams may have been used during the standoff by the FBI.

The four defendants came to court today with Ryan Payne in street clothes, Ryan Bundy in a three piece black suit but Cliven Bundy and Ammon Bundy came in red prison uniforms.

Ryan Bundy suggested to the judge that the prosecutors prepare their case from a jail cell next to his, expressing the difficulty he faces in preparing his from the lockup at the Henderson Detention Center

In a video posting tonight (Tuesday November 7th)  Ammon Bundy's attorney Morgan Philpot expressed his shock and surprise at the turn of events.

Not only will there be a evidence hearing tomorrow, but there will also be a detention hearing for the four defendants on Thursday morning at 830am.

Philpot said the planned hearing is "fantastic" and expressed hope that the judge may release the defendants.

Cliven Bundy's defense attorney Bret Whipple has filed a motion for dismissal of the case and that motion will be considered at a hearing scheduled for next Monday.
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BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF TRIAL: WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS CASE?

"I Ryan Bundy, a man sui juris, MOVE the Court to order or compel Plantiff to produce discovery regarding photographic and laser equipment used to surveil the Bundy home and American People who peaceably assembled between March 26, 2014 and April 12, 2014"

Defendant Ryan Bundy's motion of August 22, 2017 in Bunkerville Standoff case regarding FBI equipment seen overlooking Bundy Ranch

"....testimony elicited in court Friday revealed for the first time that the FBI had one surveillance camera perched on a hill overlooking the Bundy Ranch"

Maxine Bernstein-"Portland Oregonian/OregonLive"-November 3, 2017

"All we say to America is be true to what you're saying on paper.   If I lived in China or Russia or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions, maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges because they have committed themselves to that over there.  But somewhere I read of the "freedom of assembly",  somewhere I read of the "freedom of speech",   somewhere I read of the "freedom of press",  somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for rights......"

Dr.  Martin Luther King Jr.-Last Speech in Memphis April 3, 1968

"..economically I'm an arch conservative.  My attitudes towards the federal government, the federal structure.  I'm disenchanted like so many other Americans with that, its getting too big and cumbersome, unmanageable, filled with self serving and self-perpetuating bureaucracy that accomplishes too little for our money..........in terms of conservation of our natural resources, now here we get into the ultimate confusion, conservation, conservatism, coming from the same root word.   What are you if you believe in the conservation of our natural resources.   Are you liberal or conservative?....."

Montana native and NBC News anchorman Chet Huntley reflects on how big the federal government was growing and what it means to conserve natural resources on June 25, 1970 with Dick Cavett on ABC-TV

"In 2014 my family took a peaceful stand against government overreach and the people from across the nation came and stood by our side.  Our request throughout the whole protest was that it remain peaceful and it did.   Those people saved our lives that day against the heavy handedness of our federal government....

President Trump you remain silent.  Mr. Jeff Sessions, you said you were pleased with the prosecution.  Is this how you think the courts under your jurisdiction should be ran?   You, too, sir have disregard for the US Constitution as well as your oath of office.  Shame on you.   

Mr.  Zinke (Interior Secretary Ryan) you came to the Bundy Ranch and toured my ranch area.  You never reached out to us.  You said it was now out of your jurisdiction.  You were right.  We are part of the sovereign state of Nevada and you have no business in this great state.   However,  you claim over 89 percent of our land.  Who put us in the judicial courts.  You did.  And who can take us out of those courts,  You can sir.  You can drop all charges and it will no longer be in the judicial system.  Shame on you...."

Cliven Bundy's wife Carol Bundy speaks in a  video statement August 20, 2017

Protesters at Bundy Ranch in the spring of 2014 came to exercise their First Amendment rights to protest the federal government's seizure of Cliven Bundy's cattle in the midst of his fight with the federal government over the ownership of the grazing land.   Some protesters exercised their Second Amendment rights at the protest.

Back in Martin Luther King's day, the judges would issue a blanket injunction against protest. Nowadays the federal government just corralled the protestors in a "Free Speech Zone" as if they were cattle.

And then the protestors went to a wash near Bunkerville, Nevada on the morning of April 12, 2014 for the peaceful return by the Bureau of Land Management of Cliven Bundy's cattle.

Four men at the heart of the protest (Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne) are on trial accused among other things of planning a "massive armed assault" on federal officers.

It was a fight that began in the 1980's with the enforcement of the Endangered Species Act in northern Clark County, Nevada.   All of Cliven Bundy's neighbors were driven out of business. but Bundy carried on contending the federal government did not own the land, but that the sovereign state of Nevada did.  

Cliven Bundy regularly sent his grazing fee checks to the government of Clark County, Nevada.

After many years of litigation, the BLM moved in to seize Cliven Bundy's cattle, claiming non-payment of grazing fees, leading to the protest and the standoff of April 12, 2014.

The fact that the prosecution and persecution of the defendants in this case speaks for itself.

Four men held without bail, not convicted of any crime, the process started by the Obama Administration's Justice Department continuing under the Trump Administration Justice Department.

On Tuesday morning November 7, 2017 the opening arguments are set to begin in the trial.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF:  FBI LIVE FEED CAM AT STANDOFF REVEALED IN EVIDENCE HEARING, NOT DISLCOSED TO DEFENSE FIRST TWO TRIALS, DEFENSE WANTS DISMISSAL

Defendant Ryan Bundy who is acting in his own defense in the third Bunkerville Standoff trial, says he was mocked by the government when he asked about a camera being used by the federal government during the standoff.

Bundy filed his motion about the camera back on August 22nd and in a written response September 5th, Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre called his motion "little more than a fantastical fishing expedition for evidence".

On July 12th US Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke these words regarding Mr. Myrhe:

"I've got to tell you, its impressive when you have a tough case,  a controversial case and you've got the top guy leading the battle, going to court, standing up and defending the office and the principles of the law....I'm not taking sides or commenting on the case.  Just want to say that leadership requires, a lot of times, our people to step up and be accountable."

But today a National Park Service manager, Mary Hinson, revealed under questioning by Bundy that a live video feed was being used at the federal government's command trailer.  It was an FBI live camera rotating from a hill above Bundy Ranch.

Cliven Bundy's defense lawyer Bret Whipple was incredulous saying "How can there be a live feed they never disclosed"....."three and  half years, two trials and for the first time"......"how can you sit on this for three and a half years."

US District Judge Gloria Navarro rejected a defense motion to dismiss charges against the four defendants in the third trial (Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne) based on the shredding of documents related to the standoff.

A jury has been selected and opening arguments are set for Tuesday morning in Las Vegas.

But the judge is allowing another motion to dismiss based on the revelation of the FBI surveillance camera live feed during the April 2014 standoff.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a positive response to any dismissal motion.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF TRIAL:  JURY SELECTED WITH OPENING ARGUMENTS TUESDAY, EVIDENCE HEARING CONTINUES TOMORROW

The jury for the third Bunkerville Standoff trial has been chosen.    Six men and six women are on the jury.    The 12 jurors along with four alternates are ready for the trial with opening arguments set for Tuesday morning at 8:30 in Las Vegas.

"Yes, I believe they are guilty" wrote Juror No. 66 on their questionaire, but this juror was still on the final roster today even after Ryan Bundy read that answer directly to Judge Gloria Navarro yesterday.

Navarro still insisting that there was no bias in that potential juror.  This forced the defense to use one of its eight 'strikes' today to take that person out of the final cut of jurors.

Tomorrow the evidence hearing that's been looking to activities of the Bureau of Land Management with current BLM officials now explaining various issues related to documents that were destroyed involving the standoff.

Some motions about the trial will also be part of the courtroom activity tomorrow and we may have rulings from Judge Navarro.

The intimidating atmosphere of the courtroom was described in a video posted today,

"They're staring at them, their arms are all crossed, they're right up in their faces.   And you know I just don't how they believe that this could be a fair trial when you're intimidated by people standing around you.

I also don't understand why the US Marshals are allowed to hear the conversations between the defendants and their attorneys.   They really don't need to stand a foot away and guarantee these men aren't going to do anything"

Kelli Stewart talks about the 13 federal marshals placed around the four defendants at the trial in a video placed on "JGrady" You Tube account November 2, 2017

In that You Tube video, John Lamb and Kelli Stewart discussed the expensive security procedures involved in moving the defendants back and forth from the jail every day.   

With the sound of the helicopters overhead, they explained how two helicopters circle overhead before the prisoner transport and then follow the four men who are part of a major motorcade involving a dozen Las Vegas Metro Police and Nevada Highway Patrol officers sirens blaring using the side of the freeway to work their way through the rush hour traffic.

BUNKERVILLE STANDOFF TRIAL: ARGUMENTS OVER POTENTIAL JURORS; JUDGE WORRIES ABOUT BROADCASTING, MISTREATMENT OF AMMON AND RYAN BUNDY CONTINUES

In Las Vegas today the fight in the courtroom was one about who should be a juror or not.

The prosecution not wanting a member of the pool  who discussed the Uranium One scandal.

The defense not wanting a member of the pool who wants more gun control laws.

The Constitution of the United States was the focus of defendant Ryan Bundy's questioning of jury pool members.   Bundy is arguing in his own defense at the trial.

He stated that the Constitution was the supreme law of the land and asked if the pool members agree with that notion.

Bundy also asked if jury pool members believe that rights come from God.   One said No that rights should not come from a religious perspective.

Ammon Bundy's defense lawyer was concerned that one potential juror used a "certain herb" and was concerned that use would distort their ability to deliberate the case.

At the end of the day, US District Judge Anna Navarro agreed to remove three jurors for cause, one who spoke about  "Uranium One", one who worked in Senator Harry Reid's office, the one who used the "particular herb" mentioned earlier.

Judge Navarro ruled on the role of an assistant to Ammon Bundy's defense lawyer Morgan Philpot.

Philpot wanted to have Rick Koerber with a phone and laptop sitting with him at the defense table during the trial.

Koerber recently faced criminal charges in federal court in Salt Lake City being accused of money related charges.   The jury was unable to reach verdicts and a mistrial was declared.
Koerber's defense attorney was Marcus Mumford, Philpot's law partner and Ammon Bundy's defense lawyer in the first Oregon Standoff trial.

(Marcus Mumford was tackled, tased and arrested by federal marshals in the courtroom at the end of that trial after the not guilty verdicts for all defendants were read.  Although criminal charges were dropped against Mr. Mumford, the chief federal judge in Oregon is trying to have Mumford disbarred from the federal court in Oregon)

Judge Navarro decided that Koerber can have the phone and laptop but he'll have to sit at the front row of the public gallery and he must cover the laptop's camera and microphone with yellow tape.    She does want Koerber to record or broadcast anything from the courtroom.
She also expressed her fear of  'provocative false information being provided that will raise a security risk in court'.

The judge is also allowing Ryan Bundy, who's arguing in his own defense, to meet with the defense lawyers before and after court each day.

BUT THERE REMAINS THE FACT THAT AMMON AND RYAN BUNDY ARE STILL NOT SHAVED AFTER THEIR TRANSFER FROM THE PRIVATELY OWNED JAIL IN PAHRUMP TO THE HENDERSON DETENTION CENTER.  IN A VIDEO POSTED  TODAY AMMON'S WIFE LISA SAYS THEY ARE BEING HELD IN A SMALL ROOM,  A 'HOLDING TANK'.  THEY AT LEAST GOT A SHOWER THIS WEEK, BUT STILL WEAR THE SAME CLOTHES.

Trial observer John Lamb reports that the remaining group of 49 prospective jurors should be whittled down to 16 tomorrow (12 jurors and 4 alternates).