Vol. 81/No. 47      December 18, 2017

 

As frame-up trial against Bundys unfolds, judge lets some out of jail

 
In an unexpected move, U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro released Ammon Bundy and co-defendant Ryan Payne to house detention Nov. 29. Both have been held in prisons in Oregon and Nevada without bail for the last 22 months on two separate sets of frame-up charges. Along with brother Ryan Bundy and father Cliven Bundy, Ammon Bundy and Payne are now on trial in Las Vegas on 16 charges flowing from protests against the Bureau of Land Management’s seizure of Cliven’s cattle in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2014.

Judge Navarro also ruled that Ryan Bundy, who had been released to a halfway house Nov. 13, could now spend time at his home in Mesquite, Nevada.

Cliven Bundy was also offered release, but refused on principle to accept the conditions, saying he wouldn’t feel right being freed while other co-defendants awaiting trial remain behind bars.

Last year Ammon and Ryan Bundy were acquitted on frame-up charges in the nearly monthlong occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

Judge Navarro had previously opposed defense motions for release saying, “All of the judges who have conducted hearings, or reviewed appeals of detention decisions, have concluded that the … defendants should be detained as a flight risk or danger to the community or both.”

Speaking to 50 supporters outside the Federal Building in Las Vegas, Ammon Bundy said the releases show “where the evidence is taking this case and what the truth is.”

On Dec. 4 four others awaiting trial on similar charges — Mel Bundy, Dave Bundy, Joseph O’Shaughnessy and Jason Woods — were released to home detention.

The trial is expected to resume Dec. 11.
 
 
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