U.S. judge warns of mistrial in Nevada rancher Bundy's trial
A U.S. federal judge in the criminal conspiracy trial of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and three other men on Monday warned that prosecutors' failure to produce documents that could support defense arguments may lead to a mistrial.
The four men, including two of Bundy's sons Ammon and Ryan, are accused of conspiring to use the threat of force in a 2014 armed standoff with federal agents near Bundy's ranch. It galvanized right-wing militia groups challenging U.S. government authority over public lands in the American West.
The revolt was sparked by the court-ordered roundup of Bundy's cattle by government agents over his refusal to pay fees required to graze the herd on federal land.
Outside the presence of the jury, U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro on Monday read a lengthy list of documents previously undisclosed by prosecutors that could be used to impeach government witnesses or otherwise bolster defense attorneys' arguments that their clients felt surrounded by government snipers prior to the standoff. Navarro then sent jurors home until Dec. 20 while the evidence issues are addressed.
Some of the prosecution's documents were produced so late they violated the federal evidence discovery rules, Navarro said, and as a result could lead her to strike witness testimony, call for a continuance or order a mistrial.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-judge-warns-of-mistrial-in-nevada-rancher-bundys-trial/ar-BBGCPBG?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=edgsp
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