OREGON STANDOFF FBI AGENT TRIAL:  PROTEST FOR LAVOY FINICUM OUTSIDE, JURY SELECTION DELAYED INSIDE

Yesterday's decision to delay jury selection to this afternoon in the trial of FBI Agent W. Joseph Astarita followed plans published online for a protest outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse this morning supporting "Justice for LaVoy".

There were still protestors outside the courthouse by mid day.

The FBI agent, now only faces three charges after Senior US District Judge Robert E. Jones threw two out last week related to lying in the wake of the shooting incident that killed LaVoy Finicum and wounded Ryan Bundy during the Oregon Standoff protest on January 26, 2016.

As jury selection begins prosecutors have retained a jury consultant while defense lawyers worry about any negative statements about the FBI and how they might influence potential jurors including those made by the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.  

There's also concern about opinions related to the Oregon Standoff protest and the role of juries in trials with potential jurors being given a questionnaire.

LaVoy's widow, Jeanette Finicum, was reported by "OregonLive" as planning to be in attendance at the trial seeking justice in connection with the trial.   She and other members of the family have filed a  wrongful death suit over the actions of law enforcement including Agent Astarita.