SSGT

Armed militants who took over a federal building and wildlife refuge in Oregon in a deadly, 41-day standoff with authorities were acquitted of all charges Thursday.

The seven anti-government militia members, led by brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy, were found not guilty of conspiracy and weapons charges in the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife refuge.

An eighth occupier, LaVoy Finicum, was fatally shot by police during the standoff.

After the verdict, court officers had to tackle, tase and hold Ammon defense lawyer Marcus Mumford when he repeatedly yelled that his client must be released immediately. Mumford himself was freed hours later.

The judge said Ammon could not be released because he still faces charges in Nevada stemming from an armed standoff with the feds at dad Cliven Bundy’s ranch two years ago.

An attorney for another defendant was shocked.

“It’s stunning. It’s a stunning victory for the defense,” said Robert Salisbury, attorney for defendant Jeff Banta. “I’m speechless.”

The defendants had maintained that the occupation was an act of civil disobedience inspired by religion and that the weapons they brought onto federal grounds were vital for protection against the government.

“This is a tremendous victory for rural America,” defendant Neil Wampler said outside court.

“It is a well-deserved, overwhelming defeat for a corrupt and predatory federal government.”

Another defendant, who was not in the courtroom due to a medical condition, shed tears of joy when told of the verdict.

“It’s wonderful — the holy spirit has been listening to our prayers,” Ken Medenbach told USA Today. “The people have spoken.”

The standoff began on Jan. 2 and lasted nearly six weeks, bringing new attention to the “Sagebrush rebellion,” a long-running dispute over control of federal lands in the West.

Supporters of the militia rejoiced outside the courtroom in Portland, where fellow occupier Brand Thornton held up a ram’s horn in celebration.

The US attorney in Oregon issued a statement defending the decision to bring charges.

“We strongly believe that this case needed to be brought before a court, publicly tried and decided by a jury,” the statement from Billy J. Williams read.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said, “The occupation of the Malheur refuge by outsiders did not reflect the Oregon way of respectfully working together to resolve differences.

“I appreciate the due diligence of our federal partners and stand with the communities of Harney County and residents of Burns,” she said, referring to the location of the occupation

Weewillynobeerspilly Loc: North central Texas

Nice...our resident rabbid liberal Kevvy is not going to like that, he had them already convicted as American terrorists.......

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

They are still in jail awaiting extradition to Nevada. Mean while Native treaty rights are not being honored in favor of the moneyed elite

Weewillynobeerspilly Loc: North central Texas

Were the treaties ever really honored Tom? Yet we have a class of people more worried about the name of a sports team than a real issue...ahhh, the money and elites...the untouchables at the top will always be an issue......if we continue to allow it, i see no ending of that power base anytime soon.

permafrost Loc: Minnesota

This is truly unfortunate. Now, no doubt the next militia event will be shedding true red blood of our law men..

Do you think this could affect the standoff in North Dakota??

I feel the Indians were truly screwed by the power that be.. The issue is possible pollution to Missouri river water which the tribe relies on.. The pipeline has been approved so I do not see how it can be stopped. The Indian concerns were not addressed only dismissed..

Never any justice for the red man.. And now the criminals in Oregon may end up walking the streets..

Who was the judge who let these men go?

kenjay Loc: Arkansas

As usual Willie Kevvy is on the wrong side of history.

kenjay Loc: Arkansas

Tell me you were the only moron in your litter. The patriots were acquitted by a jury of their peers. Now try to stay with me here perma but American lawmen killed Lavoy Finicum in could blood. Lavoy was a patriot unlike the OSP that shot him in the back. And if you are talking about the BLM they are foreign agents. You really should educate your self or STFU.

Weewillynobeerspilly Loc: North central Texas

Odd he hasn't chimed in........guess he eating a seving of OH CRAP! It's a huge helping of Hillary. ..hahahaha

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

First off I don't care about sports teams names. For instance I am Colville Indian. When the school district of Colville Washington decided to change the team name from the Indians The Colville tribes objected as they were not consulted and the team remained the Indians to the tribes satisfaction. Indians have a lot far more important issues to be concerned with than a sports team name. When treaties were signed Indians gave huge concessions in exchange for peace land and water rights. The expectations were that the government would keep to the treaties terms. Why do you think it is alright to violate these treaties and why to you think it is alright to speak in condescending terms "ahh the money and elites" Why should Indians not push back when they are certain that graves are being trampled on and water sources are in danger of destruction? If your city decided to build a new sewer plant in your neighborhood you and your neighbors would mount a protest because your property values would plummet. Don't tell me you would not and that you would roll over on your back and allow it.

Weewillynobeerspilly Loc: North central Texas

You're confused Tom, i was not at all condescending in what i said, i have a problems with the treaties not being held up.........and i take issue with people more worried about a sports team name than the real issues concerning the abuse of the treaties. I suggest you reread what i said .



Weewillynobeerspilly (a regular here) (online) Joined: Aug 6, 2015 Posts: 8202 Loc: North central Texas.

Coos Bay Tom wrote:
They are still in jail awaiting extradition to Nevada. Mean while Native treaty rights are not being honored in favor of the moneyed elite




Were the treaties ever really honored Tom? Yet we have a class of people more worried about the name of a sports team than a real issue...ahhh, the money and elites...the untouchables at the top will always be an issue......if we continue to allow it, i see no ending of that power base anytime soon.
Weewillynobeerspilly

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

All right I understand . I personally believe treaty rights are to be given precedent especially when they were signed by a sitting U S president. I think fighting over what a team name is is a distraction to far more important issues such as the Dakota access pipeline. This happens time and time again in Indian country. The majority of Americans cry"Not in my back yard" and so the big shots dump it on the most marginalized and least represented of all Americans.

Weewillynobeerspilly Loc: North central Texas

Agreed, i believe a deal is a deal and should upheld regardless of who is running the show now......my brother was sationed in Lawton for many yrs, a disgusting display of abuse happening around there by our government to the originals in that area...........I'm a dick about alot of things, but they were here first and this i understand.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

You are not a dick. You get the picture.

Nutter Loc: Fly Over Zone

Am I a Dick if my middle name is Richard;-)

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Do you know a Richard Tucker?