150 Militia Take Over Makhuer National Wildlife Preserve Headquarters

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by midnight rambler

Dramatic effect.

17 gallon storage bins -

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...2f27a1_400.jpg

---

Thats a lot of bucks for ammo, I wonder if Uncle Sam furnished it? The FBI NEVER LIES.

Ammon Bundy's motion to stay trial pending appeal and declaration of attorney Morgan Philpot



https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...75747470_o.png

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...77636949_o.png

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...76535703_o.png

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...79134477_o.png

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...18348991_o.png


https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...28975449_o.png


https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...29177879_o.png

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...34153244_o.png




https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...47658444_o.png

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...93271462_o.png

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by monty

Thats a lot of bucks for ammo, I wonder if Uncle Sam furnished it? The FBI NEVER LIES.

---

The unknown is how many rounds of that was .22 LR ammo. And if there wasn't a huge amount of .22 LR ammo in that 'stockpile' then for 34 guns that only amounts to ~two to three hundred dollars of ammo per gun on average. In reality, not really a great amount individually, i.e. ~500 rounds per gun on average.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by midnight rambler

The unknown is how many rounds of that was .22 LR ammo. And if there wasn't a huge amount of .22 LR ammo in that 'stockpile' then for 34 guns that only amounts to ~two to three hundred dollars of ammo per gun on average. In reality, not really a great amount individually, i.e. ~500 rounds per gun on average.

---

Good point. I didn't take the time to do the math. So, that isn't prohibitive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by monty

Good point. I didn't take the time to do the math. So, that isn't prohibitive.

---

What looks more menacing? 15 .50 cal ammo cans or a huge fucking pallet the size of a tote??

http://www.returnables.com/images/fo...opcaps-big.jpg

The Defense, Day 11 from Rangefire http://rangefire.us/2016/09/29/ongoi...-defense-case/


THE DEFENSE CASE
DAY 11 — Wednesday, September 28, 2016

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...y-Harris-1.jpg

The defense case actually started on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, late in the afternoon, immediately following conclusion fo the government’s case in chief, when the prosecution rested. Several defense motions were filed at that juncture, some of which were argued Tuesday afternoon, including a motion by defense attorney, Tiffany Harris, arguing that the term “federal officers” referred to 28 USC 372, the civil war conspiracy statute Defendants are charged with violating, is not applicable to run-of-the-mill federal employees, as the government has alleged. Consequently, she and other defense attorneys argued for a narrower interpretation of the term “officer.” Attorney Per Olson argued that under the constitution and other a correct definition and understanding of term only includes those who are required to swear an oath, as part of their federal position and title, to uphold the constitution. Although the argument seemed fairly compelling, Judge Brown denied the motion.

Defendant Attorney Mathew Schindler also filed a motion for acquittal on behalf of his attorney, Kenneth Medenbach, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to tie Medenbach to any alleged conspiracy to impede or interfere with federal officers, nor is there any evidence that he was armed at the refuge, claiming that no

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-2-300x183.jpg

reasonable jury could reach that conclusion. Judge Brown likewise denied that motion. Today, before the defense started calling witnesses Ryan Bundy also filed a motion for acquittal/dismissal, and Ammon Bundy’s attorneys filed a motion to stay any further trial proceedings based on their appeal of Judge Brown’s denial of their previous motion for an injunction. But Judge Brown denied all defense motions.

And just to give a little better idea how it works, all such motions are argued outside the presence of the jury. Such motions are typically argued among the attorneys and the judge either at the end of the day after the jury has been excused, or at the beginning of the day before they are brought in to the court room.

When the defense did finally start calling witnesses to testify on Wednesday morning, they called a shotgun array of witnesses that had previously testified for the government, including MNWR manager Chad Karges, Refuge employe Carla Burnside, and a number of FBI agents.

Among other things, Special Agent Ben Jones testified that he attended LDS (Mormon) Church services in Burns on January 10th to conduct surveillance on the Defendants, including Ryan Bundy, to attended church there that day.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x300.jpg

Other FBI Agents, including AGent Chadd Lapp, testified that the FBI received intelligence on January 1st that there was talk among the Defendants and/or people associated with them about the possibility of doing something at the refuge. The agents testified that there were multiple government informants among the so-called “militia” at the refuge during the occupation, and they testified that Mark McConnell was paid for his services to the FBI, although Judge Brown would not allow them to disclose how much he was paid. Agents were also asked about the role of Refuge neighbors, Rancher Andy Dunbar, and his son, who were likewise paid by the FBI. Agent Lapp also contradicted the previous testimony of Harney County Sheriff’s deputy, Lt. Brian Needham.

As you may recall, Lt. Needham testified about his conversation with Ryan Payne, who had come into the sheriff’s office on his own one day, seeking to talk with Sheriff Ward. According to Agent Lapp, Lt. Needham’s court testimony went considerably beyond anything he had told Agent Lapp in their interview.

According to Lapp’s report, Needham had mentioned that Payne had told him that an elected official should be removed from office “by any means necessary” if they were not upholding the Constitution. Lapp said Needham didn’t relay to him any reference Payne made to Sheriff Dave Ward, and didn’t suggest that the removal “by an means necessary” should include “death,” as Needham had testified previously.

The Defendants also played recordings of conversations between Ammon Bundy and FBI negotiators at various points along the way. In those negotiations, when Ammon Bundy was asked what they occupiers wanted, he said they wanted Hammonds to be returned to their families, and they wanted the Refuge to be turned over to Harney County, and the ranchers it had been taken from.

Lawyers for Ammon Bundy, the leader of the refuge occupation, and six co-defendants have repeatedly argued in court that their clients never intended to prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Bureau of Land Management from doing their work — the thrust of the federal conspiracy charge they face. They’ve even argued that defendants haven’t even talked about workers from those federal agencies. Instead, they’ve said that they were engaged in a political protest, and intended to stake claim to and they didn’t believe that the federal government should control.

The Jury also heard from Native American Elder, Sheila Warren, from the Siletz Tribe. Warren is a registered nurse, who previously worked for Indian Health Services, and then for the VA. She had come to the Refuge to see for herself and “get to the bottom” of whether the artifacts housed at the Refuge had been harmed in any way by the occupiers, as had been reported in the news. She said she was trying to get a feel for the place, and the occupiers so she could tell “what was true and what was not.” She said that the people she met were very open, friendly, and she did not see any firearms at the Refuge. She also testified that she notice a lot of areas that had been cleaned-up at the Refuge. She said that she examined the artifacts, and they were dusty and dirty, and there were plenty of rodent droppings among them, but they were in tact and had not damaged.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x281.jpg

When Defendant Ryan Bundy asked her if she ever heard people at the Refuge talk about preventing Refuge employees from coming on the property, she responded “Just the opposite. They said they were not threatening or hurting anyone.”

On cross-examination, U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight asked her if the Siletz tribe had disavowed her visit to the Refuge, to which she responded that she was not speaking for the tribe. When Knight asked her why she had been willing to talk to Ryan Bundy, at the Refuge, but had been subsequently unwilling to talk to the FBI, she said “I didn’t trust the FBI,” which seemed to be a fair response to the question asked, but Judge Brown admonished her

When Attorney Marcus Mumford asked her why she didn’t trust the FBI, she said “Because I heard that five of them…were under investigation for lying,” Judge Brown cut her off, and said that her statement should be stricken and not considered by the jury, although, again, it seemed highly relevant and responsive to the question asked.

When Attorney Tiffany Harris asked Warren about efforts by FBI Agent Ronnie Walker to talk to her in May, she said she wouldn’t talk to him because she felt threatened by him.

Another FBI agent was called to establish that in rancher Andy Dunbar’s testimony he said that he had never spoken to Ammon Bundy, but in his conversation with FBI Agent Burns, he said that he had spoken to Bundy.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-225x300.jpg

FBI negotiator Marc Maxwell testified about the last stage of the occupation, and his talks with the four remaining hold-outs, including David Fry. He said on Feb. 11, Fry talked to him by phone about killing himself, and his fear of being sexually assaulted if he went to jail. Maxwell told him he could be placed in segregation, and tried to talk to Fry about his family.

“At some point, Maxwell said, Fry said he wanted pizza and a smoke, and if you all say ‘hallelujah,’ he’d come out,” Maxwell testified. “I said ‘hallelujah,’ and he came out.”

Tomorrow, Thursday, which is the last day of the four-day week for the jury, the Defense plans to call Rev. Franklin Graham, who was involved in the final negotiations to end the occupation. Defense attorneys said that they also intend to re-call Harney County Sheriff David Ward, and that if there is enough time, on Thursday, Ammon Bundy may take the stand.

For contrasting perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Maxine Bernstein for OregonLive, and Conrad Wilson for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB)

RANGE / RANGEFIRE! — Addressing Issues Facing the West / Spreading America’s Cowboy Spirit Beyond the Outback

Lowlife scum Mark McConnell was likely paid $25,000.00 to setup LaVoy Finicum for assasination

http://thepetesantillishow.com/gmn-e...ur-occupation/

Deborah Jordon's exclusive report

GMN Exclusive – Ryan Payne Says Mark McConnell Most Likely Received $25,000.00 For His Role As Informant During Malheur Occupation

GMN Exclusive – Ryan Payne Says Mark McConnell Most Likely Received $25,000.00 For His Role As Informant During Malheur Occupationhttp://thepetesantillishow.com/wp-co...-officer-7.png
GMN Exclusive – Guerrilla Media Network LLC – 2016

MARK McCONNELL
http://thepetesantillishow.com/wp-co...0282-large.jpg

The driver’s name was Mark McConnell, and he wasted no time to go on the defensive when news spread on social media, that according to the testimony of Oregon State Trooper Jeremiah Beckert, he was the informant who gave OSP/FBI the logistics and support they needed to execute the ambush that lead to the death of LaVoy Finicum and arrest of Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox, Ryan Payne and Brian Cavalier. Those closest to McConnell say Mark denies having worked with law enforcement to make possible the ambush that would lead to one man’s death, and the incarceration of occupation leadership. McConnell’s official stance was, he did not do it and Oregon State Trooper Beckert lied on the stand. While McConnell refused to speak with me for the purpose of writing this article, he has spoken to many about what he says was a radical idea being formed at the refuge, and readily admits he did inform Law Enforcement and the FBI of plans to kidnap Sheriff David Ward’s children, and use explosives found on the refuge to blow-up the Harney County Courthouse.

Two days after the death of LaVoy Finicum I spoke with McConnell in room 123, at the now infamous Silver Spur Motel in Burns,Oregon – I asked him point blank about how it could be everyone in the convoy was arrested except him? His reply was simply, “I’m not really sure, but when they questioned me it was pretty clear they didn’t even know who I was” he said .. Maybe it was because I wasn’t like all the other retards up there who couldn’t stay off social media.” I stayed under the radar – I had a room in town – I fed myself, and I didn’t start a fundraiser”I then asked him how it all went down that night.

He said that he and Booda “aka” Brian Cavalier, were sporadically chatting about much of nothing when they passed vehicles that immediately pulled out and began to follow them. There was some contention between him and Cavalier he says, because a woman Cavalier thought of as his girlfriend was giving him [Mark McConnell] a lot of attention, and “Booda wasn’t very happy about that” he said, “So we really didn’t have much to say to each other.” I wasn’t really paying much attention to what was going on around us, and then suddenly Cavalier says “Oh shit” and sits straight up, and thats when I saw them sitting there on the side of the road. McConnell then told me, when they pulled him over he was the first to exit the jeep and that he told them he was armed. “They told me to keep my hands up, turn around and walk backwards to them slowly and I did what they told me to.

“It was crazy you know because – I thought, this is it – I’m going to jail. Then they put me on my knees and I spent the next two hours on the cold ground. They questioned me he said, and then after they talked to me for a while they just let me go. I mean, I guess they figured I was a nobody who just got caught up in the whole thing and that was probably because I was smart and stayed away from the cameras, and so they told me that they couldn’t arrest me because they didn’t have an indictment for me — To be honest I can’t really tell you why I wasn’t arrested.”

At one point in our conversation I used the word “ambush” to describe the event that took place on Hwy 395, and that’s when McConnell lost his composure with me. He became very angry with me for using the word ambush –

“It wasn’t a fucking ambush he scolded, it was a legal fucking stop and people need to stop calling it that!” And you wanna know something else? If LaVoy had rushed me like he did those guys, I probably would have shot him too”

That was the last time I spoke with Mark McConnell.

Ken Rhoades, aka [Orange Hat Man], stood silently in the room with me and listened to Mark;s version of the event. When Mark left, Ken turned to me immediately and said, ” That Motherfucker is working with the Feds, I’ll bet my life on it.” I told Ken then, and have said it many times after, ” I don’t know about working with them, but he sure is hiding something.”

In March of 2015 I contacted Mark McConnell’s friend Melvin Lee, not because I wanted information about McConnell, but because he had put out a very passionate video claiming that some of the women whose husbands had been incarcerated were being overlooked in fundraising efforts online. He challenged us all to pick up the slack and help these women out. I called him to get the information he had on the families most in need. Mr. Lee was angry. He said that he had gone to the Refuge to try to talk Ammon Bundy into leaving the Refuge and that Ammon would not listen; My conversation with Melvin Lee soon turned to Mark McConnell.
Melvin Lee was the first person to tell me that Mark had gone to the refuge a second time against his advise, because he felt that Ryan Payne was becoming dangerous and had added a radical element to the occupation. He told me that Payne suffered from a severe form of PTSD and his influence over some of the men up there worried both him and Mark McConnell.

Mark told Melvin Lee that he had supposedly overheard Jason Blomgren, AKA (Joker J) talking about plans to kidnap Sheriff David Ward’s Children, and blow-up the Harney County Courthouse. He also told me that Mark went up there to specifically keep a watchful eye on Payne and “take him out” if he made one step toward carrying out that plan.

RYAN PAYNE
http://thepetesantillishow.com/wp-co...5146644328.jpg

Ryan Payne says now in hind-sight, that he should have listened to Jason Patrick, a long time friend and co-occupier at the Malheur Refuge. “Jason just didn’t like the guy from the moment he stepped foot on the refuge,” says Payne.

Payne cannot remember who actually introduced him to, or told him about Mark McConnell, but he knows they became acquainted during the incarceration of Andrew Tahmorressi, a United States Marine who had been jailed by Mexican Authorities for accidentally carrying weapons over the border. He says that looking back on it he was impressed with and liked McConnell who told him he was a United States Marine who transitioned to the Army and that they had many things in common.

“When the Occupation began we struggled to find people who were willing to come to Oregon to help with the protest and so we all just started calling the contacts in our phones, McConnell was one of those contacts in mine, he said.

Ryan says, because of Marks military training, work on the border, and willingness to be there at the Refuge, he was quickly assigned to personal security for Ammon Bundy. When I told Ryan about the excuse McConnell was using to justify his becoming an informant Payne said, “It’s just simply not true”

Like everything else concerning McConnell, this whole story about kidnapping plans and blowing up buildings, just doesn’t make any sense. If what Mark is saying were the truth then my arrest would have been about something much different. It would have been about that, and not a conspiracy to impede BLM and Fish and Wildlife from doing their duty. Mark didn’t come up there to stop some radical plan — He came there to do just what he said, and that was to watch me, and report back to the FBI like he has been doing for the past two years.

Ryan Payne says that he was running late on the afternoon of January 26th 2015. He had been out on the refuge with Victoria Sharpe showing her around; She had only been there a couple of days. When they made their way back to the refuge McConnell was agitated and in a panic; I had never seen him act like this before, he said. He was yelling at everyone about getting on the road and was very upset because he thought they were going to be late. We had a routine we followed before we left the Refuge for these meetings and McConnell was just screwing everything up. He insisted that we all go together and that Ammon ride in the lead car with him. The truth is Ammon had not planned to go with us to the meeting. He wanted to leave later because he was always the last speaker and he had some things he wanted to take care of at the Refuge and said he would meet us there later. McConnell was having a fit. He was persistent that Ammon just had to go now, and ride with him. At the last minute I think Victoria decided to go and Mark was very unhappy about that. It was all just so hectic and confusing and we skipped over our routine. The last thing we always did before we left the refuge was pray, and this time because Mark was acting so out of control, and pushing everyone so hard, we didn’t do it. I think the worse mistake we made was not saying that prayer – maybe if we had just forced McConnell to slow down and said that prayer, God would have told us not to go.

Payne says that in the discovery he and his attorney learned, that at least two informants had received a sizable amount of money for their part at Malheur. One check was cut for $25,000.00 and the other was for $10,000.00. He doesn’t know if McConnell got them both or if there was another informant, but was confident Mark got at least one of those checks and quite possibly both. That’s why he made up this outlandish lie — The bigger the lie the bigger the check.

“There was never a plan to kidnap Ward’s kids and there was never a plan to blow up buildings. Where is the proof? Did it ever come out in court? I was never questioned about it and neither was anyone else to my knowledge except “maybe” Jason (Blomgren) who stated when asked, that there may have been a discussion of last resort plans to plant IED’s to slow down the FBI if they came after us. And to my knowledge I don’t ever remember even having had that conversation with Jason, nor do I think he ever said I did.

No, Mark McConnell was sent there to gather intel and cause division, and that’s exactly what he did and exactly what he’s still doing. We all knew the minute he was let go that he had set us all up. He was working with them to figure out a way to get us all together so they could end the occupation. And that is exactly what he accomplished, and a good man died because of Mark McConnell.

Ryan had a message for Mark at the end of our talk;

I want him to know I feel sorry for him. When all is said and done Mark, you will always be the one who did a terrible thing and will have to live with the death of LaVoy Finicum. I will never have to prove that I am telling the truth because you are the one telling the lie. God has a perfect plan – read Isaiah 44-45. I want you to know that despite what you did I am not angry – I want you to know I don’t hate you – I want you to know I forgive you.

JON RITZHEIMER
http://thepetesantillishow.com/wp-co...69-300x169.jpg

Jon Ritzheimer, another co-occupier and close friend to Payne says, “There is no way Ryan Payne ever had plans to do what McConnell is saying he had plans to do.” Jon makes it clear that he bunked with Payne on the refuge, and would have known if Payne was planning such a thing. Ritzheimer also disclosed to me that it was Mark McConnell and Melvin Lee who told Ammon Bundy they had intel that a raid was going to happen any minute and that they all needed to pack up and leave the refuge or die. “They both said the intel was solid, and we believed them.”

Jon now believes that McConnell purposefully caused panic that night so people would become frightened and leave, and that very likely the first plan to take them down was thwarted when they dug in their heels and refused to budge. Some have pointed out that McConnell could have very well told them of the false plans to raid the compound just to get an idea of their strategy so he could report back to the FBI. Regardless, Ritzheimer says that he believes Mark was working with the FEDS from the beginning. “He and Melvin Lee went there to cause chaos, and that’s exactly what happened.” Ritzheimer said.

“I’ll never forget that night. We were begging for help — we were begging the media to stay and help protect us, but they all left us there. LaVoy came up and sat there all night in the cold waiting to die in that parking lot. I tried to come up with an idea to make the media stay with their camera’s and the only thing I could think of was to get dressed in my fatigues and carry a gun, but that only worked for about an hour, and then they left. The only one willing to stay and keep his camera going was Pete Santilli. He sat in his truck between LaVoy and the road and waited for the FBI to come and hoped his camera would stop them from killing everyone.”

I have also seen where McConnell and Melvin Lee say they came to the Refuge to rescue a girl named Kristen and her baby, but that is also a big lie. Until they got to the refuge they didn’t even know Kristen was there. I know this because, I am the one who told them about her and asked them to take her back to Arizona with them when they left.

They were also the ones behind Lewis Arthur’s big show when he came up there thinking he was going to get by with beating up a sick Vietnam Vet, pushing his way past the gate screaming and yelling that he had come to rescue one of his “men” he had heard was in trouble. It was all a lie made up by Mark McConnell. Lewis Arthur founded the movement called Veterans on Patrol in Arizona, and reports are he was asked to leave Bundy Ranch for bad behavior.

Jon Like Ryan, points out that kidnapping and bombs were never mentioned by Prosecutors, and if McConnell gave them evidence that proved that that was the ‘BIG PLAN” then they would have definitely used it.

JASON BLOMGREN
http://thepetesantillishow.com/wp-co...5147646979.jpg

Jason Blomgren’s close friend Angelia Balch, former National President for the III % Organization, stands by her friend and says that everything that comes out of Mark McConnell’s mouth about Jason is a lie; Jon Ritzheimer agrees:

We had our times with Jason, and there did come a time when I had to tell him to take down a video or two, but it wasn’t because they were violent or anything like that — We just thought they were silly and didn’t represent the message we wanted to convey. I do not believe Jason ever told McConnell that Ryan Payne planned to kidnap kids and blow-up buildings, and I don’t believe Jason ever informed on us. Mark McConnell is a liar and that’s all there is to it.

Jason Blomgren was subpoenaed by the Government to testify against his co-occupiers in the trial of Ammon Bundy et al — but, said his friend Angelia Balch, Jason was a hostile witness who never cooperated with the FBI. At the last moment the Government decided to dismiss Mr. Blomgren as a witness, and did not call him to the stand.

Jason Blomgren had no comment.

MELVIN LEE
http://thepetesantillishow.com/wp-co...5148180686.png

Melvin Lee now say’s that he doesn’t know what to believe about his friend Mark. “I hate to think he would lie to me, he said – but I will stand by him and defend him from anyone who tries to come after him.” To tell you the truth, I’m just as confused as everyone else, he said. Melvin walked away from a organization he founded known as The Patriot Warriors nearly three months ago, and says he has also walked away from the Patriot Community for good.

There are those like Melvin Lee who are still willing to defend McConnells actions and say despite handling the situation the wrong way, he is a good man. They stand by his decision to become an informant, and say he did the right thing. McConnell’s friends say, now that his name has been disclosed his life, and the life of his family and friends are in danger, and that they were shocked to learn they had set him up and outed him to the public.

Now Isn’t that ironic?

END ARTICLE

Shari Dovale's assesment of the the defenses's first day of rebuttal

http://redoubtnews.com/2016/09/29/ma...e-starts-bang/

Malheur Defense Starts With a Bang

By Shari Dovale

Today began the defense case in the Malheur Protest Trial in Portland. The jury heard a 40 minute audio recording of a call between FBI Negotiator Christopher Luh and Ammon Bundy.

Bundy explained to Luh how the protesters were cleaning the refuge, making repairs and working with the community. We heard Ammon estimate that about 1,000 community members had come to the refuge and shared information. One of the most prominent stories that Ammon shared on this call was how the “Fires have been so destructive to them and how it appears that the Bureau of Land Management is only there to make money on the fires.”

“They’re not there to put the fires out,” Bundy explained. He then went on to give statistics on the poor management of the BLM versus the local volunteer fire group. They have a track record of keeping the fires down to less than a thousand acres when the volunteers are on it, but “when the Bureau of Land Management firefighters are on it there’s hundreds of thousands of acres.”

Another powerful witness was Sheila Warren, an elder with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. She testified that, after hearing news reports of what was happening at Malheur, she decided to investigate the events herself. She was very concerned for the reported abuse of the Paiute artifacts. She arrived on January 24^th and spent several hours overall.
Warren testified that she went into an office building and never saw damage, the people were respectful, the refuge was clean, and the general atmosphere was open and responsive. She also testified that she never saw any guns during her time there. This part of her testimony was important because she said that she specifically looked for weapons, due to the media reports.
She reported that the artifacts were not being abused and she tried repeatedly to reach the Burns Paiute Tribal Chair, Charlotte Rodrique, though she was unsuccessful.

After leaving the refuge and returning home, Warren testified of a phone call she received from FBI Agent Ronnie Walker. He did not immediately identify himself to her but did attempt to bully her into talking to him. Walker told this Tribal Elder that she did not have a choice but to talk to him, and she was made to feel as if she did something wrong by visiting the refuge.

Judge Anna Brown did not want to let the jury hear this information, but Tiffany Harris, Shawna Cox’s attorney, did a wonderful job in questioning and getting the information presented. Warren was able to present the fact that she felt threatened by Agent Walker.

There have been several FBI agents testifying during this trial. Ronnie Walker has been treated very special by the court in that he has been allowed to sit through each day in the courtroom, listening to all the testimony, before he himself testified, repeatedly. Not even the other agents have received that privilege Certainly no regular citizen witnesses would be allowed this same benefit.

That isn’t the only unusual behavior by the FBI during this trial. Agent Lapp is a prime example of the disrespect the FBI has for the jury and these proceedings. He was assigned to this case in November 2015. However, this trained investigator was not able to recall most details of which he was questioned. He could not remember who’s Facebook accounts were being reviewed, other than Ammon’s. He couldn’t even remember when he started watching these accounts.

When questioned about the government informants at the refuge, his memory got even worse. He couldn’t remember how many informants there were, or who they were, or much about them in general. He was finally prompted to reveal that he saw a written proposal to pay Mark McConnellfor being a government informant.

Several agents claimed to “not recall” specifics of their investigations, except when prompted by their “302” reports. These reports are the written summaries they fill out about witness interviews. It seems to me, when they are called to testify, they should at least review their notes, reports, or even the case files, to prepare for their testimony. Too many times today they appeared incompetent by falling back on the “I do not recall” answers.

Tomorrow will be another big day for the defense. Sheriff David Ward will return from Harney County. Reverend Franklin Graham is also expected to testify, as well as the possibility of Ammon Bundy taking the stand.

Judge Anna Brown has begun to push the defense to make a minimal case and wrap it up by early next week. Today was the first day, and they are not in court on Friday. So, 2 days this week, maybe 2 days next week, is a dramatic shortening of their evidence.

There is a video that the defense wants to admit and show the jury, but speculation is running that Judge Brown will not allow it, as it will just lengthen the case. Yes, she can be very intimidating to attorneys. However, their future does not trump these defendant’s freedom.

I hope they get their full day in court.

The more this trial and the Hillary affair progress it becomes blatantly obvious there is not an honest person in the current administration or in the federal justice system. Growing up I was proud of my country. Today I am disgusted by what has happened to our country.

Daily we are presented with more proof of the FBI instigating, planning and carrying out assasinations, planting false evidence, and committing perjury to arrest and convict innocent Americans. Paying informants, planting evidence, anything goes.

The failure to arrest and reccommend not to indicte the treasonous Hillary Clinton by the Director on the top to the lying and intimidation of men and women around the Malheur Reseve by local FBI agents on the ground display how corrupt and evil the organization has become.

Even worse, with the blatantly obvious evidence that LaVoy Finicum's assasination was planned and executed by these devils it is swept under the carpet. Apparently there is not an honest person in law enforcement or the judiciary who will bring charges against these murderous cowards.

The judge, the court clerk and the prosecutors in the trial, plowing ahead where they know they lack jurisdiction, are complicit in the overreach and corruption Ammon Bundy was intent on exposing.

They are all doing the work of Satan.

Rangfire.us
http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-2-150x150.jpg
Evidence Mounts Against the FBI — Across the Board

September 25, 2016 - Government/Politics - Tagged: Bundy, cover-up, FBI, Finicum, Malheur, Oregon Standoff, Range, RANGEfire - no comments
According to The Daily Bell,” Loss of FBI Reputation is Irredeemable: James Comey Will Resign. It appears the FBI’s involvement and obvious cover-up in the deadly roadblock that killed LaVoy…

Read Post →

Quote:

---

Today I am disgusted by what has happened to our country.

---

Mooshell is finally proud of Amerikkka. Get with the program or get out!

Jeff Banta testified for the defence today. Read from bottom up

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...c9c2ec1a37e85e

September 28 Briana Bundy on Twister Radio with host Jim Lambley


http://ice9.securenetsystems.net/med...anna-Bundy.m4a

Rangefire report, Day 12. http://rangefire.us/2016/09/29/ongoi...-defense-case/


DAY 12 — Thursday, September 29, 2016
The pace of the defense case slowed down today. It had been anticipated that the defense would call Rev. Franklin Graham and Harney County Sheriff David Ward, and possibly even get to Ammon Bundy. Instead, there were just two witness: Reverend Graham and Defendant Jeff Banta.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x184.jpg

Rev. Graham testified about his role in the negotiations and ultimate resolution of the occupation. Jeff Banta had suggested him as a possible third-party negotiator because he didn’t trust the FBI negotiators he was dealing with. The the FBI’s credit, they made a good faith effort to enlist Graham’s assistance, and it appears to have

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x110.jpg
played an important role in the final resolution and surrender of the final four hold-out occupiers at the Refuge, including Sean & Sandy Anderson, Jeff Banta and David Fry.

At a certain point Rev. Graham started communicating with the hold-outs on a daily basis, to establish rapport and a relationship with them. He said his main motivation was to try to help save lives on both sides. He said that both he and the occupiers were genuinely concerned that the FBI would run out of patience and just start shooting, just to end it. He said that in all his discussions with the last four hold-outs, he never heard them make any threats to anyone, and concluded that they were mostly just genuinely concerned about their own physical safety.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x277.jpg

On February 10th Graham responded to a plea from the FBI to come to Burns to be on the ground in an effort to negotiate an end to the occupation. Although the FBI offered to pay his airfare, he flew himself from North Carolina in his private plane, and was taken to the Refuge from Burns in an armored FBI vehicle, and was instrumental in helping to negotiate the final resolution of the occupation.

Graham said he had no formal standoff negotiation, and credits God with direction to help bring about a satisfactory conclusion, with no blood shed.

After Rev. Graham concluded his testimony, Defendant Jeff Banta testified. Judge Brown reminded him that he has a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, but he said that he has nothing to hide. Banta testified that he went to the Refuge to support the protest in favor of the Hammonds. In fact he had hoped that Ammon Bundy might be able to make an introduction to the Hammond family to see if they could use some help on their ranch while Dwight and Steven were in prison. When asked on cross-examination why he had never talked to Ammon Bundy

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-237x300.jpg

about that, Banta responded that Bundys were arrested so shortly after he got there that he didn’t have a chance to talk to them about it. He said that he only talked to Ammon Bundy for a minute or two and had no opportunity to get to know them first. Banta testified that because he didn’t trust the FBI, he suggested Rev. Franklin Graham as a negotiator. Banta testified about the final phase of the occupation, before surrendering to the FBI. He said he had a rifle and shotgun in this truck when he went to the Refuge, that he keeps there esssentially on a permanent basis for hunting and target practice. He also testified that a couple of “guys with white beards” showed up at the refuge, and made matters worse. He felt like they were either government agents, or agent provocateurs, actively seeking to stir things up and/or make things look worse than they really were.

Once again, after, late in the afternoon after the jury had been excused not just for the day, but also for the weekend, a myriad of motions were argued before Judge Brown. The only motion that Judge Brown did not deny outright, was Shawna Cox’s motion to dismiss Count II against her. Count II is the firearms charge. The

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...awna-Cox-1.jpg

government had said it had a witness who would testify that he saw Cox with a firearm at the Refuge, but everyone else said that was not the case, and the government did not call that witness curing its case in chief. Consequently the government put on no evidence that Shawna Cox ever possessed a weapon at the Refuge.
On that score, this is a good juncture to address another issues. Although no evidence was presented during the government’s case in chief that Ammon Bundy was ever seen with a firearm at the Refuge, evidence was presented that Ammon Bundy had purchased a Savage .300 win mag hunting rifle in Glendale, Arizona in 2012, which was one of the guns found at the Refuge.

Something I read in one of Conrad Wilson’s references, however, raised an interesting issue for me. When Bundys were arrested, in support of the charges against them, FBI Agent Katherine Armstrong signed a sworn statement stating that Ammon Bundy possessed and was armed with a .40 caliber handgun when he was arrested. But Armstrong was never called to testify, and this claim never came out in the evidence at trial. That raises all kinds of interesting questions. When you consider the ramifications of this, along with the increasingly obvious lies and cover-up by the FBI HRT team in connection with LaVoy Finicum’s shooting death, if it doesn’t leave you scratching your head, it should.

Although Judge Brown took Shawna Cox’s motion to dismiss Count II under advisement, she denied all other defense motions, and called it a week as far as presentation of evidence is concerned, which will resume next Monday, when Sheriff Ward is expected to testify, as well as Ammon Bundy.

In addition to talking to Trent Loos about all this on Rural Route Radio tomorrow morning, I also anticipate shooting some more live video clips to provide additional live commentary to wrap up the week.

For contrasting perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Maxine Bernstein for OregonLive, and Conrad Wilson for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), or Gary Hunt at Outpost for Freedom and Redoubt News. We believe there needs to be alternative voices to mainstream media commentary and coverage of these issues.

RANGE / RANGEFIRE! — Addressing Issues Facing the West / Spreading America’s Cowboy Spirit Beyond the Outback

Trent Loos Rural Route Radio with Todd Macfarlane

http://ruralrouteradio.com/affiliates/friruralroute.mp3

Todd Macfarlane on Rangfire with the Malheur Trial week 3 review

WEEK 3 RECAP COMMENTARY

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

You can also listen a full Weekly Recap Interview on Rural Route Radio w/ Trent Loos

Redshirt Friday — a Tradition in Honor of Our Troops and their Sacrifices
http://youtu.be/umSUa29VlG8

THE “GUN SHOW” — PROSECUTION PRESENTS ITS BEST EVIDENCE AND RESTS
AFTER NINE (9) DAYS
http://youtu.be/p1xpYoDQ1I0

GOVERNMENT EVIDENCE OF CONSPIRACY TO IMPEDE/INTERFERE BY THREATS, FORCE OR INTIMIDATION
http://youtu.be/4uaTdvZBuxo

FIREARMS EVIDENCE RE: SHAWNA COX & AMMON BUNDY
https://youtu.be/eU3Y1YjFyVw

PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT?

THE DEFENSE CASE — JUST GETTING STARTED

For contrasting perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Maxine Bernstein for OregonLive, and Conrad Wilson for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), or Gary Hunt at Outpost for Freedom and Redoubt News. At RANGEFIRE! we believe there need to be alternative voices to mainstream media commentary and coverage of these issues.
RANGE / RANGEFIRE! — Addressing Issues Facing the West / Spreading America’s Cowboy Spirit Beyond the Outback

Todd Macfarlane added more video commentary on the Malheur trial week 3

FIREARMS EVIDENCE RE: SHAWNA COX & AMMON BUNDY
http://youtu.be/eU3Y1YjFyVw

PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT?http://youtu.be/lZD2hb3w6Xo

THE DEFENSE CASE — JUST GETTING STARTED
http://youtu.be/Azw03ZXm8GA

The bulldog in the room, Marcus Mumford who often bills himself as "The Stuttering Lawyer".

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060043675

• E&E Home
• About
• Contact
• Start a Trial
• Subscribe

• EnergyWire
• ClimateWire
• E&E Daily
• Greenwire
• E&ENews PM

• E&ETV
• Reports

E&E Publishing&nbsp

SEARCH: Back to E&E Publishing index page. OREGON STANDOFF:

The legal bulldog who might just free Bundy

Jeremy P. Jacobs, E&E reporter

Greenwire: Friday, September 30, 2016PORTLAND, Ore. — One person has eclipsed even Ammon Bundy and the other defendants in the courtroom theatrics playing out over the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

It's Bundy's attorney, Marcus Mumford.

Mumford has unsuccessfully demanded a mistrial. He has claimed that federal prosecutors coached their witnesses to squeeze in prejudicial statements about his client that are irrelevant to the case. And his cross-examinations have sparked dozens of objections from prosecutors, nearly all of which have been sustained by federal District Court Judge Anna Brown.

The drama culminated last week in Brown threatening to hold Mumford in criminal contempt and fine him $1,000 if he did not follow her orders about what topics are off-limits during his questioning of witnesses.

To those who know or have gone up against Mumford in court, though, nothing about his handling of the trial is surprising.

CONTINUING COVERAGE

http://www.eenews.net/special_report...ndoff_logo.jpg

E&E provides on-the-ground coverage of the armed occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and analysis of the public lands controversies that sparked it.

The Salt Lake City-based lawyer is known for pushing a judge's limits in dogged defense of his client, an unusual tactic in the typically staid Utah legal community. On multiple occasions, Mumford has received contempt warnings from judges.

Those who know him described him as "combative" and "tenacious," and they emphasized that onlookers shouldn't be fooled by his unorthodox style. Mumford is short and stocky, with thinning gray hair. He frequently wears cowboy boots and somewhat ill-fitting suits to the courtroom. He looks a little like a bulldog, as another Utah lawyer described him.

He is fidgety — crossing and uncrossing his arms; gesturing rapidly; learning back in his chair, then abruptly sitting up — and he speaks with a severe stutter, a trait that would likely discourage most lawyers from pursuing courtroom litigation.

But he also delivers results. Mumford has been involved in some of the most high-profile lawsuits in Utah, and he has frequently come out on top.

"He should never be underestimated," said Brett Tolman, a former U.S. attorney for Utah and a law school classmate of Mumford.

Tolman said the Oregon standoff, which protested federal lands management, may have resonated with Mumford, whom he recalled as having a healthy mistrust of the government.

That, Tolman said, may make Mumford even more effective in the case.

"Ideologically," Tolman said, "he probably is an even more fearsome advocate when it's involving the government."

http://www.eenews.net/image_assets/2...sset_13311.jpg
Marcus Mumford. Photo courtesy of Mumford Law.

Mumford, 43, who like Bundy and several of the other Malheur occupiers is Mormon, did not respond to requests for comment.

He grew up on a farm in southeast Idaho. His father was a country lawyer. He attended Utah State University and Brigham Young University's law school, and later clerked for federal Judge Monroe McKay on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mumford spent more than eight years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York City, one of the country's largest and most prestigious law firms.

He then struck out on his own, representing defendants in high-stakes and complicated white-collar litigation.

Attorneys said he is remarkably hardworking, as well as eccentric. He is fluent in Italian and enjoys singing along to classic rock hits, such as Van Halen and Journey, according to a former partner.
Karra Porter, a prominent Salt Lake City attorney who knows Mumford, said it was gutsy to go into trial work with his speech impediment.

"It tells you a lot about his personality that he said, 'Forget that, I'm going to court,'" Porter said. Mumford, she said, has given presentations at conferences titled, "The Stuttering Lawyer."
His intellect, Porter said, is "off the chart."

Tactics that work

In the Oregon standoff case, Brown threatened Mumford with contempt after he repeatedly raised circumstances surrounding the police shooting and death of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum on Jan. 26, which precipitated the eventual end of the 41-day armed occupation on Feb. 11.

Brown has ordered that those questions are not relevant to the charges facing Bundy and the six other defendants — conspiracy to impede federal officials through threats, intimidation or force — and thus may not be raised in front of the jury.

"You are not to do that," Brown said, according to media reports.

Mumford's willingness to push the limits of a judge's order — and patience — is common practice for him.

Earlier this year, a federal district court judge in Utah also threatened Mumford with contempt and a $500 fine in a high-profile case involving whether an online marketing company had defrauded a bank and committed credit card fraud. Mumford represented one of three defendants in that case and pressed one of the prosecution's witnesses in a line of questioning that the judge had already deemed confusing to the jury and inadmissible.

And last year, he was sharply criticized by the same judge, David Nuffer, for missing 16 filing deadlines in a case where Mumford represented the Utah Republican Party.

Nevertheless, Mumford has proved effective.

In 2014, he got charges dropped against Rick Koerber, who was accused of running a $100 million Ponzi scheme. (Prosecutors may still refile that case.)

And last year, Mumford secured the release of Marc Sessions Jenson, a former businessman who was implicated in a public corruption scandal involving influence peddling in the state attorney general's office.

"No one that I am aware of has gotten more acquittals in large cases in Utah," said Nathan Crane, another Salt Lake City attorney.

'What even happened?'

Lawyers who have worked with and against Mumford said he has cultivated a way of using his appearance and stutter to his advantage.

Bret Rawson, a former partner of Mumford, said it's his "secret weapon."

"Here is an attorney who has an immediate built-in mechanism for not only underdogging himself but endearing himself to juries in a way like no other attorney I've ever met," Rawson said.
Further, by pushing judges to chastise him in court — and baiting prosecutors to object to his questions — he makes himself the victim in the eyes of the jury.

It also distracts the jurors.

That could be an important tactic in a case like the Oregon standoff trial, where the government has reams of evidence against the defendants and there seems to be little question of facts in the case. The defense began presenting its case this week.

"He is one of these guys where if he can get you in knife fighting range, that favors him," said an attorney familiar with Mumford's handling of other cases who would only speak anonymously due to the sensitive nature of ongoing litigation.

"He's not afraid to mix it up."

Matthew Schindler, a Lake Oswego, Ore., attorney who represents another defendant in the case, Kenneth Medenbach, said, "What Marcus does, Marcus does intentionally."

He noted that Mumford's unconventional cross-examination style — scattered, at times borderline incoherent and frequently eliciting objections — creates the opportunity for the jury to lose sight of what the prosecution established during its direct examination of the witness.

"It creates this kind of blizzard," Schindler said. "By the time you're done, you are left saying, 'What did the government say? What even happened?'"

The earlier attorney, speaking anonymously, said Mumford's relentlessness in court is in some ways similar to what was displayed by the occupiers during the standoff.

"He won't stop until he's in handcuffs," the attorney said.

Ernie Wayne Tertelghte explains A2/AD and the constitution of 1789. Near the end of the video the problems the Bundys are having with the government avoiding the constitution comes up and he ties it in with what he has been explaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRkIHVQiw_s

Ammon Bundy says the court has left him no choice but to take the witness stand so the jury hears the truth

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-sta...feels_the.html

Also Oregon Libe reported on Court dropped fire arm charge against Shawna Cox and Sheriff Dave Ward was back on witness stand:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/i...charge_ag.html

Ammon Bundy says he feels the court has left him no choice but to take the witness stand

http://image.oregonlive.com/home/oli...fbc9ff05d8.jpg

Ammon Bundy Monday told the court he has no choice but to take the witness stand in his own defense because of the judge's repeated rulings limiting defense testimony about the principles he and his co-defendants stood for to strictly evidence regarding their "state of mind.''

"I do not feel that I have a choice to testify here or not,'' Bundy told U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown, who wanted to make sure his decision to take the witness stand is his own.

Bundy criticized the court's rulings that limited defense lawyers in the federal conspiracy trial from discussing the principle of adverse possession – occupation of another's land to declare as one's one - or questioning the federal government's authority over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, "leaving me really with no choice but to get on the stand and possibly be a witness against myself.''

"I have no choice to get the truth to the jury but to get on the stand,'' Bundy continued.

Bundy, the leader of the occupation, also said he's eager to testify about the 2014 armed standoff with federal officers outside his father Cliven Bundy's ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada. Bundy, his brother and other co-defendants are facing a separate, federal prosecution in Nevada for the 2014 standoff.

Judge Brown asked if Bundy had discussed the risks of him testifying about Bunkerville, and the possibility that his statements could be used against him in his upcoming Nevada prosecution.

Bundy said he hadn't discussed the risks with his lawyers.

"What I did in Bunkerville, I'm very pleased at and very excited to discuss that further in this court and in any other court,'' Bundy told the judge.

As Brown suggested that Bundy take time to discuss the risks with his lawyer, he added, "I'm aware of the risks your Honor, and my decision will not change tomorrow.''

Bundy's statement to the judge came at the end of a full day of testimony in the trial, and as his lawyers prepare to call him as a witness sometime Tuesday morning.

Earlier Monday, the defense presented to jurors the man that the FBI only could identify as "Idaho Jerry,'' pictured playing a shofar, or ram's horn, on the refuge in mid-January.

The man who took the stand is not from Idaho and is not named Jerry.

He's Brand Nu Thornton, of Las Vegas, Nevada, who traveled to Burns on Dec. 27, and testified Monday that he joined with Ryan Bundy, Ryan Payne and others as part of the first group to travel to the refuge on Jan. 2 to clear the buildings.

In response to questions from defendant Neil Wampler's lawyer Lisa Maxfield, Thornton said he didn't bring a firearm to the refuge, but saw others carrying them down by their sides, walking through the property, checking doors. At some point, someone found a set of keys, he testified.

Thornton said he attended a meeting in the two back rooms of a café in Burns, located south of the Safeway parking lot, before the Jan. 2 march in support of Harney County ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steve Hammond.

It was there, he said, that Ammon Bundy discussed his plan to take over the refuge in a peaceful assembly to bring further light to the Hammonds' plight. The Hammonds were to return to federal prison two days later to complete a five-year federal sentence for arson on public lands.

Thornton said the meeting lasted a half hour to 45 minutes, and most of those attending were part of the initial group that traveled to the refuge that day.
Thornton remained at the refuge through Jan. 25, but was never arrested or charged with any crime, he said.

Thornton testified that he mostly stayed at the refuge headquarters, cleaning and scheduling appointments for Ammon Bundy, taking phone calls and feeding the birds daily.

He said the shofar is part of his ministry, and he would blow it occasionally at the refuge to break the tension when there were disputes between those present.

Defense lawyer Matt Schindler, asked, "Anyone damage buildings'' while you were there?

"No,'' Thornton responded.

"Do you believe you joined a conspiracy with Ammon Bundy?'' Schindler asked.

"No,'' he said.

"Are you worried about being arrested?'' Schindler continued.

"No,'' Thornton answered.
Prosecutors didn't question Thornton.

Defense lawyers called four other witnesses in the afternoon Monday, including two members of the Committee of Safety set up in Harney County and two other Burns residents.

Kim Rollins, a 31-year resident of Burns, challenged Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward's "straw vote'' of the community at a Jan. 7 meeting at the fairgrounds. He called it a "straw vote to get a certain reaction.'' Rollins said he put his hand up when Ward asked how many people wanted to end the situation peacefully, but then jerked his hand down on the second part of the question, when the sheriff asked "and want these people to go home?''

"I told him I didn't necessarily want them to go home. I wanted to hear what they had to say so I as an adult could consider what they had to say,'' Rollins testified.

He said he visited the refuge last in the summer of 2015 with young relatives, and scooped up the children because the floor in the bird museum was covered with rodent feces.

Pat Horlacher, a seven-year Burns resident who works as a silversmith making shoes for horses, said he lives 30 miles from the refuge. He said he drove to the refuge within several days of the takeover to "see for ourselves if this is a legitimate threat.''

Horlacher returned a few more times, bringing eight to 10 friends. He described the atmosphere at the refuge "as laid back an environment as you could ever ask for.''

In the community, he said, "there were people terrified out of their minds and it was all off of rumors.'' He said they thought it was this "really tense armed standoff,'' but "it was not.''

In contrast, he described the heavy presence of armed law enforcement outside the Harney County courthouse and elsewhere in Burns as akin to "a scene out of 'A Red Dawn.' ''

"It was ridiculous,'' he testified.

Two members of the Committee of Safety, formed after Burns residents met with Ammon Bundy on Dec. 15, also took the witness stand for the defense.
Travis Williams, a 25-year Harney County resident and fifth-generation rancher, said he went to the meeting to find out what was behind the Bundys' visit to Burns. "If this Ammon guy was a radical, I was going to go home,'' Williams testified.

But what Ammon Bundy said about ranchers losing their grazing rights and the federal government's overreach on land management "made more sense to me.''

"We need to start taking our country back. We need to stand up to the federal government,'' Williams said.

Melodie Molt, a longtime Burns resident who is a chief financial officer for a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, also testified. Her husband and sons, she said, raise organic hay, alfalfa and cattle.

Both Williams and Molt said they were nominated to serve on the county's Committee on Safety at that December meeting. It was Ammon Bundy's idea to form such a group, they testified.

They said they formed the group to educate the public about the federal government's overreach, and the Hammonds' unfair return to federal prison.
"I agree 90 percent with what Ammon Bundy is talking about, but I don't agree with the way he went about it,'' Williams testified.

Both visited the refuge during the takeover. Williams said he participated in prayer with the Bundys and other occupiers, and said they weren't threatening anyone. Molt said the refuge was tidy, and she didn't notice the firearms since they're "a way of life in Harney County.''

She said there was some discussion about an "exit strategy'' for the occupiers, but the committee couldn't hold a meeting because of Harney County comissioner Steve Grasty prohibited it from using any county buildings.

During cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel asked Williams if the Committee of Safety is recognized by the Harney County government.
"No,'' Williams acknowledged.
"Was an election held by the registrar of Harney County?'' Gabriel asked.
"No,'' Williams responded.

-- Maxine Bernstein???

mbernstein@oregonian.com
503-221-8212
@maxoregonian

Ammon Bundy's questions and answer between him and Judge Anna Brown regarding his testifying tomorrow:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1717...8423379370537/

Teresa Brookshire

1 hr

Additional from Jen Cannon who is relaying to us from being able to be in court today:
When the judge was preparing Ammon for his testimony she is required to ask a Series if questions. These are not direct quotes, but what I caught and what I wrote.

Judge Brown says, you understand you have the absolute right not to testify and to remain silent or to testify.
Ammon replies I understand my rights, yes.

Judge Brown said.. I have limited the Bunkerville evidence in the prosecutions presentation. If you speak of it this can generate questions if you testify about Bunkerville.

Ammon says I am proud of what happened in Bunkerville and I am happy to explain that in any Court.
Judge Brown asks are you aware of the risks?

Ammon says yes and my decision will not change by tomorrow.

Judge Brown. You're agreeing your testimony here can be used against you in Bunkerville.

Ammon says because you have blocked or defense in everyway I have no choice but to get on the stand and get the truth to the jury in order to clear this confusion. I have no other choice but to make a stand.


Judge Brown asks has anyone put any pressure on you to testify?
Ammon responds, to be totally honest, yes this court.

Judge Brown ask again has anyone person put pressure on you to testify.

Ammon says Anna Brown.

Judge Brown said let me clarify again has any other person put pressure on you to testify?

Ammon says besides this court? No

He takes the stand hopefully TOMORROW!

OCT. 4th 2016

They can't avoid it forever!

LikeCommentShare

Comment by Gary Hunt "Outpost of Freedom"


Gary Hunt

2 hrs






From Maxine Bernstein's Twitter:
Judge asked AB if anyone has pressured him to testify. AB: 'Yes this court.' #Oregonstandoff
Judge Brown asked AB again if any person has pressured him? AB: 'Other than this court, no.' #Oregonstandoff
I have no doubt, after reading this, that Ammon Bundy will do an excellent job on the Witness Stand

Malheur Protest trial Day 13 Todd Macfarlane reporting on Rangfire

http://rangefire.us/2016/09/29/ongoi...-defense-case/

DAY 13 — Monday, October 3, 2016
In significant developments today, Judge Brown dismissed Count II (the firearms charge) against Defendant Shawna Cox. She found that the government had presented no evidence to support the charge, and that no reasonable jury could convict her based on the evidence presented.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x223.jpg

Another significant development involved evidence presented by Tiffany Harris, Cox’s standby attorney, that in addition to the criminal charges that Dwight & Steven Hammond were prosecuted for, the BLM also filed a civil lawsuit against them. Under the circumstances Hammonds were ultimately forced to settle the case by agreeing to pay the BLM $400,000, and agreeing to give the BLM the right to acquire their ranch, including their private property, if they were not able to make the payment.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-300x234.jpg

HarneyCounty Sheriff David Ward also testified again. Although much of his testimony plowed old ground, with contentious bickering about his discussions and communications with Ammon Bundy and his associates, and it is doubtful that the Defendants got much mileage out of most of his testimony, ultimately he did again admit that he was not aware of any threats against federal officers or employees.

The Defendants then called a witness that the FBI had previously identified as “Idaho Jerry,” who was actually Brand Thornton. He testified about his involvement and actions at the Refuge. He said he was there with the

initial party on January 21, 2016, and http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-192x300.jpg
that he was there until January 25th. Thornton testified about his activities at the Refuge, including cleaning and repairs. He said he has never been arrested or charged with any crime associated with the occupation, and isn’t concerned that he will be. Despite confusion about his name and identity, Thornton is somewhat well-known for having a unique Shofar Horn that he blows under such circumstances, and did so on a regular basis at the Refuge during the occupation.

Four residents of Harney County, including Kim Rollins, Pat Horlacher, Travis Williams, and Melodi Molt also testified about their observations at the Refuge during the occupation, and their communications with Ammon Bundy. Rollins disputed Sheriff Ward’s version of what happened at certain public meetings, including the straw poll that was taken about requesting Bundys to leave. Horlacher said that the atmosphere at the Refuge was “laid-back” compared to the tense atmosphere in Burns, with the heavy law enforcement presence, which he said was “so much like a scene from Red Dawn that it was ridiculous.” Williams and Molt testified that they were nominated to serve on the executive committee of the Harney County Committee of Safety. Williams, a Harney County rancher, said that once he heard what Ammon Bundy had to say it struck a responsive chord with him. Although he didn’t necessarily agree with all of Bundys’ methods, he said he agreed with much of what they had to say in principle. Molt testified that there were discussions between the Committee of Safety and Bundys about an “exit strategy,” but Harney County Judge Steve Grasty refused to allow them to hold a meeting in any public building in the county to talk about it.

At the end of the day, Ammon Bundy told Judge Brown that he felt like he had no choice but to take the stand and testify. He said because she was not willing to allow any other evidence to explain what their other motives might have been, he felt like he had no choice but to take the stand to testify about his state of mind and intentions with respect to the occupation.

On an interesting side note, Oregonian reporter Maxine Bernstein has written an interesting article about the small-scale tourist attraction the Oregon Standoff Trial has become for downtown Portland this Fall, with people coming from near and far to observe the proceedings.

For contrasting perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Maxine Bernstein for OregonLive, and Conrad Wilson for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), or Gary Hunt at Outpost for Freedom and Redoubt News.

At RANGEFIRE! we believe there needs to be alternative voices to mainstream media commentary and coverage of these issues.

RANGE / RANGEFIRE! — Addressing Issues Facing the West / Spreading America’s Cowboy Spirit Beyond the Outback

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...2a35c19801f685

Oct. 3, Ammon Bundy stands up to Judge Brown

http://youtu.be/OHDKw3R6rfk

https://youtu.be/OHDKw3R6rfk

Ammon Bundy tells his story to the jury as told by Oregon Live

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-sta..._saying_h.html


Ammon Bundy says he tried to resist father's push to rally around Oregon ranchers

Ammon Bundy carried a worn Bible to the witness stand Tuesday and portrayed himself as a weak underdog pitted against a powerful federal government that has tried to crush his family.

Asked where he lived, Bundy said, "At the Multnomah County jail...just across the street. I've been there eight and a half months.''

Bundy became emotional on the stand several times, his voice quivering as he described how "useless'' it seems fighting against the federal government who has put his father, his brothers and himself in jail.

Bundy, the leader of the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to prevent federal employees from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management from carrying out their work through intimidation, threats or force during a 41-day occupation of the federal wildlife sanctuary. He was arrested Jan. 26 as he and other leaders were driving to a community meeting in John Day.

The 41-year-old also faces indictment in Nevada, along with his father, Cliven Bundy, and his brothers, stemming from their 2014 standoff with federal officers from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management who were attempting to corral the senior Bundy's cattle based on a federal court order. The Bundys and hundreds of armed supporters thwarted the federal agency, and its officers backed away. Federal charges weren't issued in the Bunkerville case until after the takeover of the refuge in Oregon had occurred.

Ammon Bundy told jurors that his family has grazed cattle at their ranch near Bunkerville since they homesteaded in the 1870s. But he didn't mention anything about his father owing the government more than $1 million in grazing fees. His father stopped paying after the bureau ordered him to restrict the periods when his herd roamed the 600,000-acre ranch land as part of an effort to protect the endangered desert tortoise.

Instead, Bundy said his family faced a "tremendous amount of abuse'' for trying "to protect these grazing rights that we own.''

Bundy said the Bunkerville standoff "certainly affected'' his viewpoints towards the federal land management agency. Since the 2014 event, he said he was driven to find ways to protect his family's grazing rights and other ranchers' property rights, calling it their "life blood.'' He said he worked with Nevada lawmakers to push for a Nevada Resource Rights Registry, which would have required the state to defend what he called "vested property rights'' – be it water, grazing, logging or mineral rights – from federal control. It wasn't passed.

"This is the dangerous point the federal government doesn't want anyone to know...we do have rights to these lands,'' Bundy told jurors. "In my belief, there has been a strategic effort by the federal government in taking these rights.''

His voice choking with emotion, Bundy said it's been nearly impossible to challenge the federal government. "We can't do it against these people. They're too smart. They're too strong. We can't fight them. Now they're prosecuting us....My dad and brothers are all in jail right now, every single one of them. It's wrong,'' Bundy said, tears filling his eyes. "It's wrong....again, I'm sorry.''

Bundy said he initially resisted his father Cliven Bundy's push in the summer and fall of 2015 to get involved in the case of Harney County ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steve Hammond. As a child, Bundy noted, his father took his children "with him wherever he went.''

Bundy said he didn't know anything about the Hammonds' case, but his father kept bringing it up. In October, he said Cliven Bundy asked him again what he knew about the Hammonds' sentencing.
"He said, 'I'm afraid what's happening...,'' Ammon Bundy said, pausing mid-sentence as he fought back tears, unable to get more words out.

Struggling to compose himself, he continued, trying to complete what his father had told him, "He said, 'I'm afraid what's happening is the same thing that happened to us.' ''

"At that time I said, I can't fight another battle. We're doing the best we can to keep our family from going to prison,'' testified Bundy, a pocket Constitution in the left front pocket of his blue jail scrubs.
Ammon Bundy told his father he couldn't get involved, and that's what partly led him to move his family from Arizona to Emmett, Idaho in the fall of 2015. Bundy told jurors he's a married man with six children, and a family Christmas photo was displayed to jurors. His wife, Lisa Bundy, sat in the public gallery Tuesday.

But less than a month later, Ammon Bundy said he had a change of heart. While in bed on the evening of Nov. 2, he said he picked up someone's message on his phone, and clicked on a story about the re-sentencing of Dwight Hammond Jr. and Steve Hammond.

He said he still tried to resist "this overwhelming feeling that it was my duty to get involved, and try to protect this family.''

"I had to suppress that feeling a little bit and say no, that was not my responsibility until I couldn't any longer,'' Bundy testified.

Later that night, he started searching the Internet and reading everything he could find on the Hammonds' case, he said.

On Nov. 3, Ammon Bundy said he typed a letter, addressed "To: Aware Citizens and Government Officials,'' and posted it on his family's blog, Bundyranch.blogspot.com.

It began, "Our hearts and prayers go out to the Hammond family with deep empathy.''
The lengthy letter called the "injustices'' they believed the Hammond family was facing "hard to comprehend'' and alerted federal officials that further incarceration of the Hammonds could lead to civil unrest.

"We warn federal agencies, federal judges and all government officers that follow federal oppressive examples that the people are in unrest because of these types of actions,'' it read.

Ammon Bundy said he then decided to travel to Oregon to meet with the Harney County ranchers to "understand who they were.''

Ammon Bundy said he met with Steven Hammon initially. Steven Hammond gave him a ride in the back of his pickup to his ranch, about 30 miles away.

The Hammonds were convicted in June 2012 of arson to federal land. Dwight Hammond Jr. was convicted of one count of arson to Bureau of Land Management land in Harney County. His son was convicted of two counts of arson on Bureau of Land Management land, as well as land belonging to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the judge instructed jurors.

The father initially was sentenced to three months prison in October 2012, and his son to one year and one day of prison. On Feb. 7, 2014, the 9^th U.S. District Court of Appeals overturned the sentence and the father and son were re-sentenced in October 2015 to serve out a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison. The arson statute they were convicted under is part of the wide-ranging Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act that Congress passed in 1996. A five-year sentence was required under the enhanced penalties provision for use of explosives or arson crimes, the judge told jurors.

Of his visit with Steven Hammond, Bundy said, "I began to understand he was pretty tired of fighting and he was pretty much broken emotionally...He was just going to take what was given.''

Bundy's lawyer, Marcus Mumford, asked his client how he responded to Steven Hammond's position.
"I didn't understand until I spent 8 ½ months in prison, how he felt,'' Bundy testified.

Co-defendant Ryan Payne, who had come to support the Bundy Ranch near Bunkerville in 2014, ended up joining Ammon Bundy in Burns last November. Together, he said, they visited with Dwight Hammond Jr. and his wife, and later with Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward.

Ammon Bundy is expected to return to the witness stand Wednesday morning.

As he remained on the witness stand Tuesday afternoon, his attorney played for jurors clips of video capturing part of the 2014 standoff in Bunkerville. They captured a woman Ammon Bundy identified as his "Aunt Margaret'' getting thrown to the ground by a federal officer after she stood briefly in front of a government vehicle, and then Ammon Bundy getting shot with a stun gun three times after he parked his four-wheeler in front of a government dump truck. Bundy said his goal was to find out what the dump truck was hauling away, as he and others suspected it was his father's dead cattle.

"I truly believed they didn't have a right to be there, and my family had a right to be there,'' Bundy testified.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight earlier had objected to the videos being presented to jurors, arguing they only revealed a limited slice of what went on at Bunkerville

"Bunkerville is the evidence equivalent of a Pandora's box in this case,'' Knight argued. "Once we go down this road...we are really embracing more than a mini trial...but events that are not before this court.''

U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown said the prosecution's concerns are legitimate, "but that's a reality in a case like this.''

The judge ruled the videos from Bunkerville could be played solely for showing the impact on Ammon Bundy's state of mind as he came to Oregon. They could be played for jurors, but won't be provided to the jury as evidence during their deliberations in the case, the judge said.

-- Maxine Bernstein
mbernstein@oregonian.com
503-221-8212
@maxoregonian

Shari Dovale, Monday, Oct. 3, Redoubt News "Skittish Sheriff Turns Burns Into A Warzone.

http://oregon.redoubtnews.com/2016/1...burns-warzone/

HomeBLM Skittish Sheriff Turns Burns Into A Warzone

Skittish Sheriff Turns Burns Into A Warzone


THE SHERIFF OVER REACTED FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL PROTECTION.

October 3, 2016 BLM, Constitution, FBI, Featured

http://i0.wp.com/oregon.redoubtnews....size=641%2C360Courthouse and Sheriff Office barricaded in Burns, Oregon, January 2016

Skittish Sheriff Turns Burns Into A Warzone

by Shari Dovale

The Malheur Protest Trial resumed this morning with a good day for the defense. They got a big win right off the bat when the gun charges were dismissed against Shawna Cox! The jury will not learn of this, however, until the final instructions before they deliberate.

Judge Anna Brown was not going to make the rest of the day easy, however, and shut down much of the defense witness testimonies calling them irrelevant or cumulative. It’s interesting that she let multiple FBI agents testify about the same issues yet when defense witnesses have testimony that overlaps each other, she shuts it all down.

BLM Agent Jeff Rose took the stand and testified that the BLM had a civil case against the Hammond Family. Testimony revealed that the Hammond’s had been fined $400,000 and the BLM also obtained a “Right of First Refusal” on their ranch, if they had to sell it to pay the fines. The Hammond patriarch’s are currently serving their second round of prison time for the same charge of arson/terrorism for protecting their ranch.

Rose reluctantly discussed how the BLM chose to close their office several days before the rally held in Burns on January 2, 2016. This was confirmed in an email the defense obtained. Again, it is confirmed that the government employees were sent home long before the Bundy’s held their rally or went to the Malheur Refuge. The employees were also allowed to work from home, or other offices, and never lost work or pay.

Harney County Sheriff David Ward took the stand again to discuss the meetings he held with Ammon and others in November. Ward was forced to admit that he had been feeding info to the FBI about anyone that showed support for the Bundy’s.
Ward was shown an email that he claimed was an ultimatum to him. The section that threatened

Ward the most in that email reads:

We the people desire to live in peace and tranquility, but will defend out freedoms if necessary in order to do so. We call upon you, Sheriff Ward, and all civil servants, to honorably and effectively uphold the oaths and duties of your sworn offices. – To turn your weapons in the defense of the Hammonds rights and truly be a representative of the people, by the people and for the people.

Testimony showed that Sheriff Ward put the county on ‘High Alert’ with State and Federal officers, as well as deputies from 5 neighboring counties coming to his personal protection. Military equipment, heavily armored vehicles, locking down and barricading the courthouse and orders to use force upon the people if they saw fit, all because the Sheriff perceived a threat in an email, but could not show this threat.

The Sheriff over reacted for his own personal protection, yet he refused to protect the Hammond family when he was asked. He has effectively placed himself above the Hammonds and all the people of Harney County.

“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
― George Orwell, Animal Farm

Audio clips of a meeting held between Sheriff Ward and Ammon, as well as several others, were played and discussed. In these clips, no threats were made but Ammon explained well the argument that the BLM were never punished for starting accidental fires, unlike the Hammonds who were labeled as terrorists. Ward suggested that people could petition Congress if they wanted to fight this, but that is all he offered.

Other testimony today included residents of Burns and their Committee of Safety members. Kim Rollins testified that Sheriff Ward misled the residents when he held a townhall meeting to gather a straw poll vote from the residents against the Bundys. Rollins explained that Ward did not get the support from the residents that he testified to, and that residents wanted to hear what Ammon had to say.

Additionally, Rollins testified about a visit he made to the Malheur Refuge last summer. He had brought small children with him and the adults could not let the children walk through the museum due to the amount of rodent feces throughout. “Deplorable conditions” was how he described it.

Pat Horlacher was another resident from Burns. He testified that when the Refuge was first occupied he was afraid for his family. He tried to talk to the Sheriff but was not allowed to see him, as the courthouse was barricaded. He became concerned that he should move his family out of town. He described Burns like it had been invaded, or a scene out of the movie “Red Dawn’ due to the escalation of law enforcement.

Horlacher testified that the LEOs made him afraid, but he decided to go personally to the refuge and see what was happening. “It is happening in your own backyard,” he said. “You need to make your own decision.”

He traveled to the refuge and saw things were peaceful and calm. “It was as laid back an environment as you could ask for.” He testified that he never heard gunshots and saw very few weapons. Horlacher ended up making multiple visits to the refuge that month.

It is very obvious from the testimony that people were comfortable visiting the refuge and talking to the protesters. However, the town was turned into a war zone at the request of a skittish sheriff and a county judge with a large ego.

http://i2.wp.com/oregon.redoubtnews....size=300%2C107
Another barricaded entrance at the courthouse in Burns, OR January 2016

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• 246
  Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  246
• Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)

Related

Malheur Defense Starts With a BangSeptember 29, 2016In "BLM"

Part 2: The Citizens of Burns OregonJanuary 18, 2016In "BLM"

Malheur Protest Trial - Week 2 Wrap UpSeptember 18, 2016In "BLM"

John Lamb's video Malheur Protest trial Morning of Oct. 4

http://youtu.be/GqRlTS8tFxY

https://youtu.be/GqRlTS8tFxY

John Lamb Malheur Protest trial Oct. 4 afternoon session

http://youtu.be/jga3A_UzTBk

https://youtu.be/jga3A_UzTBk

Todd Macfarlane gives a brief report on Day 14 of the Malheur Protest trial

http://rangefire.us/2016/09/29/ongoi...-defense-case/

DAY 14 — Tuesday, October 4, 2016
One of the days many people have been waiting for in this trial happened this afternoon when Ammon Bundy took the witness stand and testified for several hours, after several other witnesses in the morning, including David Fry’s father, William Fry, a retired Marine gunnery segeant, Chris Briels, the Harney County Fire Chief, and Burns resident, Lindsay Tyler, who testified that she had been to the Refuge several times during the occupation, and had seen Harney County Commissioner, Dan Nichols, there. She also testified that she had taken cakes and cupcakes to the refuge.

Briels testified that he is part of the Harney County Committe of Safety. He explained that his comittee had had discussions with Ammon Bundy, including about plans and conditions for exiting the Refuge. He said those efforts were thwarted by Harney County Judge Steven Grasty’s refusal to allow them to meet at any public venue in Harney County.

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-278x300.jpg

When Ammon Bundy took the stand, he told about his life growing up on the Bundy Ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada. He testified about the grazing rights that his family and other ranchers rely upon to utilize federal grazing allotments, which in his view constitute a valid private property interest in forage resources of those allotments. He testified about how the federal government has slowly tried to take away those rights to the point that his father terminated any contractual or “permit” releationship with the federal government, which likewise terminated any financial obligation to the BLM.

Bundy testified that he is a husband and father of six children, and that he currently resides at the Multnomah County Jail, where he has been in custody for 8.5 months on the theory that he poses a danger to the community.

After much argument and debail, Bundy was allowed to testify about his experiences in Bunkerville in 2014, as the federal government sought to impound his family’s cattle. Prosecutors objected to any testimony, arguing that it would turn into a Pandora’s box in the case. But ultimately, Judge Brown said she would allow it because it is part of the nature of the unique beast in this case.

Bundy explained how his father, Cliven Bundy, had first told him about Dwight & Steven Hammond, and their plight in dealing with the federal government. Ammon testied that his dad suggested that like their own ranch, Hammonds had been intentionally targeted by the federal government, and had ultimately been tried, and convicted for burning a small amount of BLM land in two separate incidents, and after serving the intial sentences that were imposed by the trial court, they were both tater resentenced to a serve a full five years each.
Bundy testified that at first he resisted his father’s encouragement to study the situation and possibly get involved. Later on, however, he testified he had a change of heart and traveled to Harney County, Oregon to meet the Hammonds and look into their situation. He testified that at first he resisted the thought, but ultimately felt impressed to try to figure out what he might do to help them out. He said all his efforts were focused on trying to figure what had happened and what could be done about it.

Ammon is expected to continue to testify Wednesday morning.

For contrasting perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Maxine Bernstein for OregonLive, and Conrad Wilson for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), or Gary Hunt at Outpost for Freedom and Redoubt News.

At RANGEFIRE! we believe there needs to be alternative voices to mainstream media commentary and coverage of these issues.

RANGE / RANGEFIRE! — Addressing Issues Facing the West / Spreading America’s Cowboy Spirit Beyond the Outback

Comments from Dr. McIntosh re jurisdiction/ownership of Malheur headquarters, who was subpoenaed by Shawna Cox

Edit: the judge and prosecutors have all stepped out of their federal office by usurping jurisdiction where it doesn't exist. They could/should be subject to civil lawsuits, and criminal prosecution as well, but as Dr. Trowbridge points out they will immediately remove the case to the federal court system where their buddies protect them.

Angus McIntosh

20 hrs ·
I was subpoenaed to testify in the Malheur Protest trial by one of the defendants, Shawna Cox.

Having thoroughly reviewed and analyzed the the legal history and title documents produced by both the government and the defendants, Dr. Michael Coffman and myself prepared an analysis document for the Court which I also submitted as a sworn Declaration. That declaration was submitted by defendant Ammon Bundy's attorney Marcus Mumford along with a motion to dismiss the charges based on a lack of federal jurisdiction.

In a voir dire hearing prior to trial I stated that there were serious questions of federal ownership of the land and improvements at the location where the protest occurred. In the same hearing I was shocked to find out that at least some of the legal counsel in the room were unaware of Title 18 USC 1855 (which would have exonerated the Hammonds in the first place).

As to the federal employees actions toward the local ranch owners since approximately 1984 it turns out the Bundy's suspicion of fraud and illegal activities was absolutely correct. All the land acquired in the area around the lake (including the headquarters) was purchased under a Depression/Dustbowl era statute specifically intended to purchase abandoned or unproductive farms and then "resettle" that land in large enough "units" capable of supporting a family.

Congress actually ordered and required the land where the headquarters is situated (including the buildings) to be liquidated and disposed of in 1946 (60 Stat 1065). It was disposed of to local ranchers who used it for grazing and forage crops for nearly 40 years until the local BLM and USFWS employees began a systematic elimination of the ranchers through fraud and abuse.

It is shocking to the conscience that a Federal Judge is actually suppressing evidence of these crimes and in effect aiding and abetting after the fact.

I've been an expert witness in 4 different Fed District courts, the US Court of Fed Claims, and the IBLA and I've never seen such an incredible effort to suppress exculpatory evidence by a judge. Truly mind boggling.




128 Likes32 Comments304 Shares

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by monty

Comments from Dr. McIntosh re jurisdiction/ownership of Malheur headquarters, who was subpoenaed by Shawna Cox

Edit: the judge and prosecutors have all stepped out of their federal office by usurping jurisdiction where it doesn't exist. They could/should be subject to civil lawsuits, and criminal prosecution as well, but as Dr. Trowbridge points out they will immediately remove the case to the federal court system where their buddies protect them.

Angus McIntosh

20 hrs ·
I was subpoenaed to testify in the Malheur Protest trial by one of the defendants, Shawna Cox.

Having thoroughly reviewed and analyzed the the legal history and title documents produced by both the government and the defendants, Dr. Michael Coffman and myself prepared an analysis document for the Court which I also submitted as a sworn Declaration. That declaration was submitted by defendant Ammon Bundy's attorney Marcus Mumford along with a motion to dismiss the charges based on a lack of federal jurisdiction.

In a voir dire hearing prior to trial I stated that there were serious questions of federal ownership of the land and improvements at the location where the protest occurred. In the same hearing I was shocked to find out that at least some of the legal counsel in the room were unaware of Title 18 USC 1855 (which would have exonerated the Hammonds in the first place).

As to the federal employees actions toward the local ranch owners since approximately 1984 it turns out the Bundy's suspicion of fraud and illegal activities was absolutely correct. All the land acquired in the area around the lake (including the headquarters) was purchased under a Depression/Dustbowl era statute specifically intended to purchase abandoned or unproductive farms and then "resettle" that land in large enough "units" capable of supporting a family.

Congress actually ordered and required the land where the headquarters is situated (including the buildings) to be liquidated and disposed of in 1946 (60 Stat 1065). It was disposed of to local ranchers who used it for grazing and forage crops for nearly 40 years until the local BLM and USFWS employees began a systematic elimination of the ranchers through fraud and abuse.

It is shocking to the conscience that a Federal Judge is actually suppressing evidence of these crimes and in effect aiding and abetting after the fact.

I've been an expert witness in 4 different Fed District courts, the US Court of Fed Claims, and the IBLA and I've never seen such an incredible effort to suppress exculpatory evidence by a judge. Truly mind boggling.




128 Likes32 Comments304 Shares

---

Doesn't surprise me at all actually. There is no law in this country.

Shari Dovale Redoubt News "Judge Anna Brown Drops Her Mask"

http://redoubtnews.com/2016/10/04/ju...wn-drops-mask/

The judge sustained Chris Briels' testimony when no one objected.

Judge Anna Brown Drops Her Mask

http://i2.wp.com/redoubtnews.com/wp-...size=666%2C375

Judge Anna Brown Drops Her Mask

By Shari Dovale

The Malheur Protest Trial has been going well for the defense, as the witnesses all confirm the transparent and safe atmosphere the protesters encouraged. This must be angering the Judge because she took a decided twist in her handling of the trial today.

Jeff Banta testified last week about how he arrived at the Refuge on January 25^th, just one day before LaVoy Finicum was murdered at an illegal Deadman’s roadblock orchestrated by the FBI and Oregon State Police (OSP). His testimony included discussion of a video he had seen online that prompted him to get involved.
The video was made by John Witzel of French Glen, Oregon. The video shows the ‘Miller Homestead Fire’ of 2012 in which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) started multiple blazes that caused damage to property and livestock.
Here is the video:

http://youtu.be/BcpzhOZq1JQ


After allowing the prosecution leeway in their video selection, including watching several people target practice, the video that was so compelling to Jeff Banta was not to be allowed. Judge Brown decided that this video would be too confusing for the jury. She allowed Witzel to come in and describe a few parts of his video, but that was all.


The defense asked to play a video of Senator Harry Reid calling the Bunkerville Patriots “Domestic Terrorists”. Judge Brown told the defense that Ammon Bundy can say what he wants, but we don’t need videos. So, this one was out as well.


Another issue at hand today had Judge Brown refusing to deal with the issue of FBI Agent Ronnie Walker sitting in the courtroom from day 1 even though he was on the prosecution witness list. She blamed that problem on the attorneys and refused to admit that the buck stops with her. She is completely responsible for this breach, and I certainly hope at least one defense attorney files for a mistrial based on this blatant favoritism.


Judge Brown is well known to be favoring the prosecution, but has completely ripped off her mask and stopped pretending to be fair in this trial. She has threatened the defense if they bring up the truth of the FBI lying and covering up their part in the murder of LaVoy Finicum. She has not allowed crucial evidence, but has allowed the prosecution it’s grandstanding.



Marcus Mumford put forth a very good argument on this subject today when Brown decided to change some jury instructions out of the blue. She said that the defense was misusing the word ‘terrorist’ when it came to discussion of the Hammonds being prosecuted under the Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. “The defendants are using the term improperly,” she stated.


When Mumford challenged her need to change the jury instructions, he states that the “court is taking sides against the defense.” She completely ignored his argument and did not even bother to address it.


http://i0.wp.com/redoubtnews.com/wp-...size=266%2C300
Protestors in front of courthouse.

This fit with the rest of the day and how many objections the prosecution could jump up and make. She sustained nearly all of them. However, she was so wrapped up in helping the prosecution that at one point she even sustained an objection that was not made.


During the questioning of Chris Briels, Brown burst out and said “Objection Sustained!” When she realized that no one had made an objection, she then said, “Oh, there was no objection, but I am going to sustain it anyway. I am not going to let the witness speculate.”


This is what the defendants are dealing with. The public audience is on to her as well, as she has noticed. She has threatened the public in the gallery with expulsion for making any noise whatsoever, even turning a page in a notebook. If she hears a pen click or a page turn she will have everyone removed.


The stress of this trial could be proving to be too much for Judge Brown. I think she needs a vacation. I know I do.

Ammon Bundy testifies against government tyranny

http://youtu.be/2bQ-2fbyZjY

https://youtu.be/2bQ-2fbyZjY

Kelli Stewart was lectured by US Marshal for posting in facebook. She described her experience in a facebook video:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1561...5198847473558/

BLM agents versus ranchers. Jeff Banta was motivated by John Witzel's video of BLM burning out ranchers

http://youtu.be/JMrKKq5VkbQ

https://youtu.be/JMrKKq5VkbQ

http://lessgovisthebestgov.com/blog/...n-america.htmlFor concise, informative and thought provoking analysis of the news.
The Independent Voice for Conservative Values!
Less Gov is the Best Gov, Because Less Government
is the Best Government!
© Scott Rohter - All rights reserved


The Face of Federal Over-reach in America

Posted by Scott Rohteron Wednesday, October 5, 2016http://lessgovisthebestgov.com/blog/...1-1024x737.jpg

The Face of Federal Over-reach in America

By Scott Michael Rohter, October 2016

Dateline: Portland, Oregon – October 4, 2016

More than anyone else in America Ammon and Ryan Bundy are leading the fight to change the way that Congress administers public land. These truly dedicated men are sacrificing their lives to keep this subject in front of the Nation’s attention for as long as they have. Federal land use reform is now a part of the Republican Party platform. Their goal is to get Congress to turn over as much federally administered land to State and local control as possible where it can be better managed. It would go a long way to help provide a stable source of funding for many of the counties in Western States. The two brothers have already spent over eight months behind bars for such a worthy cause as this, but if an Oregon jury finds them guilty of conspiracy they could spend a lot more than just eight months in jail.

That is the awesome responsibility of the jury which has been selected to decide their fate. It would be a gross miscarriage of justice if they have to spend one more day in jail. It would be just as wrong as sentencing Dwight and Stephen Hammond to spend five years in jail as arsonists under the Anti Terrorist and Effective Death Penalty Act for the accidental escape of a small grass fire they started on their own property to control weeds which spread to adjacent land they leased from the Bureau of Land Management.

The law can be an ass at times. In fact the law can be an ass a lot of times, but the jury has the power to acquit these good men and send them home to their families.
Ammon Bundy took the witness stand today to testify in his own defense. It was not easy to watch him as he broke down in tears several different times as he retold the story of how he and his family have been persecuted over the years and how they are now being unfairly prosecuted now by the strong arm of the Federal government. What follows is a synopsis of his testimony from October 4th. It is not verbatim.. as his remarks were answers to questions posed by his attorney. At times they were interrupted by the prosecutors and at other times by the judge, but you have my word that I have not altered anything of substance in any of his remarks. I know Ammon Bundy and I have never met a man in my entire life that I admire more… I wouldn’t dream of changing the substance of any of his remarks. The best thing I could do is to repeat them as accurately as I can so here goes…

Synopsis of Ammon Bundy testimony from October 4th

“Every man in my family is behind bars” for defending our rights… Law enforcement gang beat my little brother. They threw my aunt Margaret to the ground… I was tazed three times… They impounded and killed our cattle… “ (He did not mention the fact that prison guards also put his older brother in solitary confinement at the Multnomah County Detention Center for over a month for just refusing to let the government perform an operation on him that he did not want).

“We have rights to the land we graze our cattle on… I grew up on this land in the same house my father grew up in… My grandfather built that house with his own hands.. We have been on that land for five generations… 138 years. The Bundys have worked that land and run our cattle there. We have water rights. We have grazing rights. Those rights belong to us.” Without those rights we cannot succeed as ranchers. We can’t even survive.

When I first heard about the problems that the Hammonds were having with the BLM in Oregon my first instinct was just to ignore it.. I did not want to help them. My father told me that the same thing was happening to them that had happened to us. I still did not want to help them, but one night I couldn’t sleep. I felt it in my spirit that I couldn’t ignore them anymore so I began to read about them. The more I learned about the Hammonds problems the more I became convinced that I couldn’t just keep ignoring what was happening in Oregon so I went to visit them. “My father taught us how to care for each other and how to care for others who need our help. My dad was a good dad.”

I drove to the Hammond Ranch and met Stephen. Later I met with Susie and Dwight. They are good people… the salt of the earth, but they seemed to me like they were about ready to give up. They were convinced that they could not beat the federal government. Several weeks later they called me and told me that their attorney had received warnings purporting to be from the Federal government that if they didn’t break off their relationship with me… extreme pain would come to their family. They told me they decided to cut off all communications with me. That’s when I realized this had gone far enough. I decided that something had to be done. What had happened to our family in Nevada and what was now happening to the Hammond family in Oregon had to stop…

To be continued

Categories: National, Oregon Tags: Ammon Bundy, Federal land management policies, Ryan Bundy

The sparsely located ranchers are easy pickin's. Next up will be the mouthy belligerents elsewhere.

It looks like Todd Macfarlane added more to his RangeFire Day 14 update since I posted it this morning.

http://rangefire.us/2016/09/29/ongoi.../#comment-2325

DAY 14 — Tuesday, October 4, 2016

One of the days many people have been waiting for in this trial arrived this afternoon when Ammon Bundy took the witness stand and testified for several hours. Once word got out that Bundy would actually be testifying this afternoon, a line formed outside the courthouse of people who wanted to observe the proceedings. Several other witnesses were called in the morning, including David Fry’s father, William Fry, a retired Marine gunnery segeant, Chris Briels, the Harney County Fire Chief, and Burns resident, Lindsay Tyler, who testified that she had been to the Refuge several times during the occupation, and had seen Harney County Commissioner, Dan Nichols, there. She also testified that she had taken cakes and cupcakes to the refuge. When attorney Matt Schindler asked her if she knew that by providing food she was supposedly joining and supporting a criminal enterprise, prosecutors objected and Judge Brown admonished the jury to disregard the question.

Briels testified that he is part of the Harney County Committe of Safety. He explained that his comittee had had discussions with Ammon Bundy, including about plans and conditions for exiting the Refuge. He said those efforts were thwarted by Harney County Judge Steven Grasty’s refusal to allow them to meet at any public venue in Harney County.

According to Shari Dovale, reporting for Redoubt News, during the examination of Chris Briels Judge Brown really let down her guard and showed her true colors. According to Dovale:

Judge Brown is well known to be favoring the prosecution, but has completely ripped off her mask and stopped pretending to be fair in this trial. . . .When Attorney Mumford challenged her need to [unilaterally] change the jury instructions, he asserted that the “court is taking sides against the defense.” She completely ignored his argument and did not even bother to address it. But this is fit with the rest of the day and how many objections the prosecution would jump up and make. She sustained nearly all of them. However, she was so wrapped up in helping the prosecution that at one point she even sustained an objection that was not made.

During the questioning of Chris Briels, Brown burst out and said “Objection Sustained!” When she realized that no one had made an objection, she then said, “Oh, there was no objection, but I am going to sustain it anyway. I am not going to let the witness speculate.” [– apparently whether the prosecution made an objection or not].

This is what the defendants are dealing with. The public audience is on to her as well, as she has noticed. She has threatened the public in the gallery with expulsion for making any noise whatsoever, even turning a page in a notebook. If she hears a pen click or a page turn she will have everyone removed.

The stress of this trial could be proving to be too much for Judge Brown. I think she needs a vacation. I know I do. — Shari Dovale, ReDoubt News

http://rangefire.us/wp-content/uploa...-1-278x300.jpg

When Ammon Bundy took the stand, he told about his life growing up on the Bundy Ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada. He testified about the grazing rights that his family and other ranchers rely upon to utilize federal grazing allotments, which in his view constitute a valid private property interest in forage resources of those allotments. He testified about how the federal government has slowly tried to take away those rights to the point that his father terminated any contractual or “permit” releationship with the federal government, which likewise terminated any financial obligation to the BLM.

Bundy testified that he is a husband and father of six children, and that he currently resides at the Multnomah County Jail, where he has been in custody, held in maximum security for for 8.5 months on the theory that he poses a danger to the community.

After much argument and debaEt, Bundy was allowed to testify about his experiences in Bunkerville in 2014, as the federal government sought to impound his family’s cattle. Prosecutors objected to any testimony, arguing that it would turn into a Pandora’s box in the case. But ultimately, Judge Brown said she would allow it because it is part of the nature of the unique beast in this case, and is relevant with respect to Ammon Bundy’s experiences and state of mind that caused him to ultimately want to get involved in trying to help the Hammonds in Oregon. He testified about what had happened in Bunkerville, including being tased three times for simply attempting to look in a dump truck, and about his Aunt Margaret being roughed-up by security forces. Several short video clips were also shown depicting these events.

Bundy became emotional at several points in his testimony. He explained how in the Fall of 2015, his father, Cliven Bundy, had first told him about Dwight & Steven Hammond, and their plight in dealing with the federal government. Ammon testied that his dad suggested that like their own ranch, Hammonds had been intentionally targeted by the federal government, and had ultimately been tried, and convicted for burning a small amount of BLM land in two separate incidents, and after serving the intial sentences that were imposed by the trial court, they were both tater resentenced to a serve a full five years each.

Bundy testified that at first he resisted his father’s encouragement to study the situation and possibly get involved. Later on, however, he testified he had a change of heart and traveled to Harney County, Oregon to meet the Hammonds and look into their situation situation. He testified that at first he resisted the thought, but ultimately felt impressed to try to figure out what he might do to help them out. He said all his efforts were focused on trying to figure what had happened and what could be done about it. He was trying to do everything he could to help the Hammonds.

Ammon is expected to continue to testify Wednesday morning.

For contrasting perspectives and reporting, you can also follow Maxine Bernstein for OregonLive, and Conrad Wilson for Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), or Gary Hunt at Outpost for Freedom and Redoubt News.

At RANGEFIRE! we believe there needs to be alternative voices to mainstream media commentary and coverage of these issues.

RANGE / RANGEFIRE! — Addressing Issues Facing the West / Spreading America’s Cowboy Spirit Beyond the Outback

The woman known as "Momma Bear" at the refuge last winter has been called out as an informant receivng $80/day from the feds. Interestingly, she is supposed to testify for the defence tomorrow. The rumors on the internet are saying Ammon Bundy was an the witness stand most of today.

Terri Linnell aka "Momma Bear"
http://youtu.be/RrzamFEktI0

https://youtu.be/RrzamFEktI0

John Lamb in Portland, Oregon video on this mornings court session Oct. 5

http://youtu.be/s44XaMb3Dwo

https://youtu.be/s44XaMb3Dwo