U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro dismissed federal charges against Navada rancher Cliven Bundy and his sons “with prejudice,” meaning the government cannot try them again for an armed standoff over cattle grazing on public land, said the Los Angeles Times. “The court finds that the universal sense of justice has been violated,” said Navarro, because prosecutors failed to share evidence with the defendants.
Navarro declared a mistrial last month on grounds the government intentionally withheld information that might aid the Bundys and alleged co-conspirator Ryan Payne. “It was yet another defeat for the federal government at the hands of the Bundy family, who have managed to elude prosecution in high-profile trials centered around standoffs with law enforcement over access to public land,” said the Los Angeles Times.
The four defendants were charged with threatening a federal officer, carrying and using a firearm, and engaging in conspiracy, charges that together could bring a sentence of decades in prison, said the newspaper. “The case has fueled anger and mistrust among groups that view the federal government as overzealous and overreaching in using its power and authority to squash free speech and states’ rights.”