Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
"Idaho gun enthusist" Eric Parker on the witness stand ~ the Review-Journal
Bunkerville protester testifies in his own defense at Las Vegas trial
Posted on April 7, 2017 by Doug Knowles
By Jenny Wilson Las Vegas Review-Journal April 6, 2017 - 8:40 pm
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Idaho gun enthusiast Eric Parker banked on his commitment to self-defense Thursday when he stepped to the witness stand and tried to convince jurors he played no role in a conspiracy to bully federal agents into abandoning their roundup of hundreds of rancher Cliven Bundy’s cows.
“I didn’t care about the cows,” said Parker, 33, who is one of six people charged as “gunmen” in the 2014 armed standoff in Bunkerville. During the standoff, Parker was photographed pointing a long gun through a jersey barrier on the Interstate 15 overpass that overlooked the sandy ditch where protesters were face-to-face with federal agents.
Parker said he arrived at the highway bridge thinking he was going to watch Bundy’s cows get released. Protesters were told at a morning rally that the Bureau of Land Management — after day’s of clashes with the rancher’s supporters — decided to abandon its operation to impound cattle from public land.
But when he arrived at the impoundment site, Parker said, he noticed a militant and heavily armed group of law enforcement officers that looked nothing like BLM agents he previously had encountered. He said he saw protesters walking toward the authorities with their hands up and heard one of the law enforcement officers threatening to use force if they approached.
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Tearful testimony
As his defense lawyer, Jess Marchese, displayed the photo of him pointing his gun from the highway overpass, Parker testified tearfully: “I made a decision. I didn’t want to hurt anybody, but I also didn’t want to see those people get hurt in the wash.”
Marchese asked Parker why he brought his gun and joined the protests if he did not care about the BLM’s cattle roundup.
“They were hurting people. I tell my kids that you have to stand up for your neighbor, and you have to be there for each other. And if I don’t do that, then I’m a hypocrite,” said Parker, a father of two who worked as an electrician before he was indicted on federal charges for his actions in Bunkerville.
The defendant was on the witness stand for five hours Thursday, and much of his testimony focused on his decision to drive 13 hours to Bunkerville with his two friends, Scott Drexler and Steven Stewart, who are being tried on the same charges.
Parker told jurors that in the days leading up to the standoff, as protesters were clashing with BLM agents in Bunkerville, he saw several videos and photos on social media that alarmed him.
A middle-aged woman being tackled to the ground by law enforcement officers. The bruised face of one of Bundy’s sons who was arrested during the protests. A video of BLM agents using a stun gun and police dogs on another one of Bundy’s sons. A cordoned off “First Amendment” zone in the middle of the desert. An April 8, 2014, press release issued by Gov. Brian Sandoval in which he declared: “No cow justifies the atmosphere of intimidation which currently exists nor the limitation of constitutional rights that are sacred to all Nevadans.”
Parker told jurors that above all, his perception that constitutional rights were being violated led him and his friends to drive to Bunkerville on April 11, 2014.
Federal prosecutors argue that after Sandoval’s press release, the BLM adjusted its approach to the cattle impoundment operation and, for example, took down the First Amendment area that was erected to contain protesters. But the Bundys’ calls for support from militia groups already had spread like wildfire on social media — and led hundreds of loosely organized, self-described militiamen to set up camp in Bunkerville.
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Cross-examination
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Dickinson, in cross-examination, tried to portray Parker as a member of one of those militia groups, highlighting his actions and Facebook posts to suggest he helped orchestrate a mass assault on law enforcement.
After the morning rally on April 12, 2014, Parker posted to Facebook: “Bundy gave the sheriff one hour to disarm the BLM. He did not reply. We are now going to free the cattle by any means. The sheriff claimed that the BLM is standing down but offered no proof. This is when Mr. Bundy gave him the, ‘do it or else.’ We will not be lied to.”
Dickinson got Parker to concede that much misinformation is spread on social media, and that his research in the days preceding the standoff may not have given him an accurate or complete picture of the events in Bunkerville.
“You saw that there were calls for militia, and people with guns. … To match force with them you needed to bring a gun?” Dickinson asked.
“I thought they were a lot less likely to drag my face into the ground,” Parker testified. Later, he said, “I was armed so nobody hurt me.”
Dickinson had not finished his cross-examination when court adjourned Thursday. Parker is scheduled to take the witness stand when the trial resumes Monday.
Contact Jenny Wilson at jenwilson@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710. Follow @jennydwilson on Twitter.
Testimony to continue Monday
Prosecutor Nicholas Dickinson had not finished his cross-examination of defendant Eric Parker when court adjourned Thursday. Parker is scheduled to return to the witness stand when the trial resumes Monday in Las Vegas
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Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
Standoff & Government Infiltration ~ Hagmann & Hagmann Report. 1 1/4 hour. I haven't watched yet
http://youtu.be/9sxwLCi5Lcc
https://youtu.be/9sxwLCi5Lcc
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
Public Notice from Fully Informed Jury Assosiation
PUBLIC NOTICE: CONTRARY TO WHAT ANY SO CALLED JUDGE AND OR PROSECUTOR'S (OFFICERS OF THE COURT) INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE THROUGH THREAT, DURESS, COERCION, OR INTIMIDATION YOU AS A JUROR HAVE THE AUTHORITY, RIGHT AND DUTY TO ACT WITHOUT THEIR INTERFERENCE AND TAMPERING...
John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and second president of the United States, said of the juror in 1771: “It is not only his right, but his duty… to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.” The highest function of the juror is not to dispense punishment to fellow citizens for breaking the law, but rather to protect us all from unjust laws and malicious prosecutions pursued by power-hungry government employees. Jurors protect society from dangerous individuals, but primarily, jurors protect individuals from dangerous government.
Prosecutors, judges, arresting officers, and investigators in most cases, all receive their paychecks from government, with their compensation and career prospects dependent on convictions to keep the legal system busy and prisons full. Corruption is given incentive. Jurors have no such stake in the outcome, and are the most objective individuals in the courtroom. Good conscience among jurors, not corrupted by power of government office, can recognize when a person’s action has not harmed anyone deserves no punishment.
The authority and right of jurors to consider the merits of the law and to render a verdict based on conscience dates back centuries, even predating our own Constitution. The Magna Carta in 1215 specifically appointed jurors to protect people against government abuses of power. In the 1670 case of William Penn, the king’s judge demanded a guilty verdict, but the jurors refused to convict, even after being jailed for their refusal. In freeing the jailed jurors, a higher court subsequently affirmed and firmly established that the authority of the juror is above the authority of the judge for our system of law. The newly founded American government, created with the intent to defend the rights of the people, enshrined the authority of the juror above the authority of government judges.
We, as jurors, all have this authority still today! Jurors who are informed of their right to refuse to enforce unjust laws and prosecutions, and who have the fortitude not to be intimidated by those bent on conviction, are the last peaceful defense of our liberties.
fija.org
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
Few people in our country realize the Bundy trials are an attack on the Bill of Rights. Primarily the First and Second Amendments. These trials are not about livestock grazing or desert tortoises. They are about a one world order, Agenda 21, Agenda 2030.
The communist legislature of the State of Oregon has a bill pending against forming militias when the Constitution mandates the 'Militia of the Several States'.
With everything that has gone down in this country in the last few years it should be obvious that the people must regain control over the government. The country needs sound money and a "well regulated" militia. A guideline to achieve both is presented at:
http://constitutionalmilitia.org/sil...by-the-states/
http://constitutionalmilitia.org/chs...ional-militia/
Will any of this come to pass? I am doubtful as hell. The people are asleep, expect the government to provide for them and will sit helplessly watching the country self destruct.
http://youtu.be/vHOYh2lQPus
https://scontent.fbog2-2.fna.fbcdn.n...d2&oe=5992AD24
Angela Roman shared a link.
23 hrs
I am a citizen and patriot from Oregon. I am a policy analyst in the house of Representatives here at the state capitol . I do NOT hold any position to make or approve laws. I was given a great opportunity for this position and i don't want be for nothing. I don't know about politics but my joining of iii% and this last election has opened my eyes to the corruption and the real battles us Americans face. I've been victim to unconstitutional persecution and I see it going on so often that it is actually becoming the norm here in the state of Oregon from my own personal experience, the unlawful charges against Michael Strickland , to our political prisoners from the Oregon Standoff, and to the murder of LaVoy Finicum ( may he rest in peace).
I am learning the political process to learn how to actually help with restoring the law of the land and the Constitution of the Untied States of America and for my children, and their children. I post about different legislation I see coming through to get the word out and help explain what I know so far about the process. What i do know is that people need to SHOW up, no matter where you live it starts locally get involved show up to town halls, school board meetings, committee hearings in your cities, counties, and states. Learn your state legislative website it tells you everything.
We actually have some legislature coming through Oregon that is a punishment for the Oregon Standoff. I will post the bill below. I don't know that much about the stand off but what I do know is this violates our constitutional right to have and form a well regulated militia. This is another attempt to over take "we the people" and make an example out of LaVoy and his death should not be in vain and this would be many steps back of what he wanted accomplished.
Oregon Legislative Information System
OLIS.LEG.STATE.OR.US
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Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
The antics of Judge Gloria Navarro have caused the courtroom to be completely filled with Bundy suppoerters
J Grady video
http://youtu.be/O_fgYUHUP0Q
https://youtu.be/O_fgYUHUP0Q
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
John Lamb Jericho march, Defense rests 4/10/17 ~ J Grady
http://youtu.be/IyXHKDUF3LE
https://youtu.be/IyXHKDUF3LE
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
A repost by J Grady of the video that is resposible for the title of Ares thread 'Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher'
https://s19.postimg.org/6s0e59s0z/IMG_1547.png
The Video the Feds Don't Want You to See
http://youtu.be/rRfNjYzL7qk
https://youtu.be/rRfNjYzL7qk
Re: Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher
Eric Parker cross examined 4/10/17 Defense Rests, Closing Arguments Wednesday
http://registerguard.com/rg/news/loc...ation.html.csp
Defenses rest in Nevada rancher standoff trial
By Ken Ritter
The Associated Press
9:12 a.m., April 10, 2017
LAS VEGAS — An Idaho man whose photo as an armed protester in Nevada was seen around the world was the only one of six defendants to testify Monday in their trial on charges they wielded weapons against federal agents during a 2014 standoff involving cattleman and states’ rights advocate Cliven Bundy.
Eric Parker was asked during cross-examination about his Facebook post during the confrontation saying that protesters planned to free Bundy cattle “by any means” — and about his comments after the standoff ended in an interview recorded by a man with cellphone video on a freeway overpass near Bunkerville.
“You said this could have potentially turned violent?” prosecutor Nicholas Dickinson asked.
“Absolutely,” Parker answered.
In the video, he gave his name as Eric from Idaho, and he was still holding the AK-47 style rifle and wearing his ballistic vest with two spare clips of bullets for his handgun.
Minutes earlier, flag-waving riders on horseback and more than 100 unarmed protesters including women and children faced off with about 30 heavily armed federal agents near a gate of a corral in a dry riverbed beneath the highway bridge.
Parker, now 33, was famously photographed prone on the pavement, looking with his rifle through a seam in a concrete freeway barrier toward the federal agents in the U-shaped wash below.
The crowd demanded the release of cows rounded up in the Gold Butte area about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
Parker testified he remembered the wind carrying the words “lethal force,” “will be shot,” amid muffled warnings from loudspeakers used by agents to warn protesters not to take another step.
Parker’s defense attorney, Jess Marchese, asked during direct questioning how Parker interpreted calls by Cliven Bundy for a “range war” to stop federal agents from confiscating his cattle.
“Did you want to start a shooting war?” Marchese asked.
“No sir,” Parker answered.
Defendants Gregory Burleson of Arizona, Richard Lovelien of Oklahoma, Idaho residents Todd Engel, Scott Drexler and Steven Stewart told Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro they decided not to testify.
The judge gave both sides until Tuesday to prepare for closing arguments Wednesday in the trial that opened Feb. 9.
Defense attorneys are expected to argue the government didn’t prove conspiracy, weapon, assault on a federal agent and other charges that could, combined, get each up to 101 years in federal prison.
In another development, Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre asked in court filings for the judge to schedule jury selection to start June 5 or later for the trial of Cliven Bundy, sons Ammon and Ryan Bundy, and two other defendants who prosecutors characterize as leaders of a conspiracy to defy court orders to get Bundy cattle off public land.
Trial for another six defendants would follow in the fall. Myhre said in documents the government might call up to 60 witnesses in the next trial.
That could take much longer than the two months spent presenting nearly 40 prosecution witnesses against the six men accused of being gunmen and followers in the confrontation.
Parker said he arrived in Bunkerville with Drexler and Stewart before dawn the day of the standoff, didn’t know Bundy family members personally, and headed back to Idaho before dark.
In one exchange, prosecutor Nicholas Dickinson asked Parker about his comment during his interview on the overpass about needing to “keep matching the show of force” against federal authorities.
“Just like Cliven Bundy told you to do, correct?” Dickinson asked.
“Nobody told us to do anything, sir,” Parker answered.
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