Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy refuses to enter plea; supporters protest at federal courthouse
Following a protest outside the federal courthouse in Las Vegas, a Nevada rancher accused of orchestrating an armed standoff with U.S. government agents in a grazing-rights dispute was arraigned on Thursday. He refused to enter a plea.
Amidst confusion about whether Cliven Bundy, 69, had a defense lawyer, a magistrate judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and scheduled a detention hearing next week, according to the Associated Press and the Las Vegas Sun.
Attorney Joel Hansen has formerly represented Bundy in a number of cases but told the magistrate judge that Bundy intends to get a new lawyer, the AP reports. Hansen said Bundy’s refusal to enter a plea is due to the rancher’s belief that federal law doesn’t apply to his situation.
Bundy was arrested in Oregon last month as he was headed toward a protest at a wildlife refuge in eastern Oregon involving two sons. He was since returned to Nevada and is being held without bail.
He is accused of playing a leading role in a 2014 standoff on federal lands in which armed private individuals greatly outnumbered the federal agents who had come to round up Bundy’s trespassing cattle. Fearful for their safety, the feds backed off and no further action was taken over the incident until this year.
Thursday’s courthouse protest involved a number of individuals openly carrying firearms, as permitted under Nevada law, the Sun reports. Present were some members of the Guardians of the Oath and the Three Percenters, groups that respectively advocate disobeying laws believed to be unconstitutional and have pledged to use force, if need be, to uphold the Constitution.
By the time Bundy’s hearing began, the protest had dwindled, as some of those present apparently entered the courthouse to watch the proceeding.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy is charged in 2014 cattle-graze standoff as he heads to Oregon protest”
The Guardian: “‘We want Cliven free!’: protesters make noise at scene of Bundy court hearing “
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “16 are federally indicted in takeover of Oregon wildlife refuge”
Washington Post (reg. req.): “Oregon refuge occupiers plead not guilty as prosecutors say more people could be charged”
Associated Press: “Occupiers face new charges in standoff”
