A federal judge in Las Vegas said Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who led a standoff with the government over cattle grazing, can be released on bond from jail during his trial on weapons and conspiracy charges. “Bundy says no thanks,” said the Los Angeles Times, preferring to stay in jail, according to a supporter, until he is acquitted.
“Cliven Bundy’s stay in jail could last for months, however, as jurors have been told to expect the trial to extend into early next year,” said the newspaper. One of Bundy’s sons, Ammon, was to be released on Thursday. Another defendant, Ryan Payne, is to be released in the next few days.
“The trial is a big test for federal officials as they are laying out a case to prove the Bundy family and militia leader Payne tried to stop the government from seizing cattle grazing on public land by threatening a federal officer, carrying and using a firearm, and engaging in a conspiracy,” said the Los Angeles Times. “The case centers on an armed standoff between the Bundys and their supporters and federal agents and contractors attempting to remove the cattle from federal land near the family’s ranch in Bunkerville, east of Las Vegas, in 2014.”