Armed Feds Prepare For Showdown With Nevada Cattle Rancher

[Dachsie]

I have a feeling this belongs in the other thread with Wildlife word in the thread title...

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

Read reaction to split verdict in second Oregon standoff trial

By Tony Hernandez | The Oregonian/OregonLive
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on March 10, 2017 at 1:49 PM, updated March 10, 2017 at 10:16 PM

Here's what people are saying after the mixed verdicts Friday in the second Oregon standoff trial.

The jury found two of four defendants -- Jason Patrick and Darryl Thorn -- guilty of conspiracy in the 2016 takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and acquitted two others -- Duane Ehmer and Jake Ryan -- on the conspiracy charge

But the jury found Ehmer and Ryan guilty of willfully damaging the refuge and found Thorn guilty of possessing a gun at a federal facility. Patrick and Ryan were acquitted on the gun charge.
For the full story:

Two convicted and two acquitted of conspiracy in Oregon occupation trial

Two convicted and two acquitted of conspiracy in Oregon occupation trial

Prosecutors described Jason Patrick as an organizer of the armed seizure, but the other three men on trial had more minor roles, including guard duty.

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Defendant Jason Patrick spoke outside after the decision:
Oregon standoff defendant Jason Patrick discusses verdict

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Here's a brief statement from defendant Duane Ehmer:
"I'm headed home to ride my pony": Defendant Duane Ehmer reacts to Oregon standoff trial verdict



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From Duane Ehmer's defense lawyer Michele Kohler:

She believed U.S District Judge Anna J. Brown unfairly restricted the number of defense witnesses who could be called during trial, based on the judge's experiences during the five-week trial last fall of Ammon and Ryan Bundy and five others.

Kohler said she could have presented more evidence to bolster Ehmer's defense for the depredation of government property charge - that he dug the trench on the refuge on Jan. 27, 2016, because he was terrified of an FBI attack and he didn't willfully know he was breaking the law.

"I feel I failed in presenting more witnesses who could have talked about his mindset, but at the same time when you have Judge Brown breathing down on you, 'No, it's cumulative!' you cut your case down,'' she said.

She expects appeals and believes the prosecution won't deter supporters of the defendants but make them more determined in challenging federal control of public land.

"I think this fight is going to continue. I think the new Sagebrush Rebellion has ignited. I do not think this is going to go away.''

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From Jake Ryan's defense lawyer Jesse Merrithew:

"I think it is likely a compromise verdict. I think Jason Patrick hit it right on the head. If they had the option of convicting them of tampering with a government vehicle or trespass, they wouldn't have been convicted of conspiracy.''

Merrithew said he was disappointed the jury convicted Ryan and Ehmer of depredation of government property, a felony that could bring up to six years in prison.

They built the trenches because they thought the FBI planned to raid the refuge, Merrithew said. "They were simply terrified, trying to do what they had to do to survive,'' he said.

With Patrick and Thorn's convictions on conspiracy charges in the wake of last fall's acquittals of the occupation leaders, Merrithew said, "I don't think that comports with anybody's sense of justice.''