After months behind bars, the face of the armed Oregon occupation goes on trial
Source: Los Angeles Times
After months behind bars, the face of the armed Oregon occupation goes on trial
By Rick Anderson
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016, 3:30 AM
For weeks in Oregons rugged backcountry, the two brothers were the face of the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge two men dressed in flannel and cowboys hats with copies of the Constitution jammed in their breast pockets.
Now Ammon and Ryan Bundy behind bars since the occupation wound down after the shooting death of one protester and the systematic arrests of others are headed to trial in Portland for their alleged leading role in taking over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
The federal court trial of the Bundy brothers along with six codefendants is expected to spark lively arguments over the governments right to control federal land such as the wildlife refuge in southeast Oregon.
The Bundys and their anti-government followers occupied the site for 41 days in January and February, surrendering soon after one occupier was killed by state police. For taxpayers, the takeover tab came to $9 million in costs and damage, federal officials estimated. Millions more are being spent on the resulting federal trials this year and next.
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http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-bundy-occupation-trial-20160906-snap-story.html