Oregon Militia Standoff Group Found Not Guilty

Oregon militia found not guilty in trial over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge standoff. Ammon Bundy, leader of the group, and Ryan Bundy along with five other

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The armed leaders in this year’s Oregon militia refuge standoff have been acquitted of all charges, reported KOIN 6. Ammon Bundy, leader of the group, and Ryan Bundy, along with five others, were acquitted in the trial for the 41-day long militia standoff.

The Oregon militia began to occupy the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon to protest the arrest of two ranchers who were arrested and sentenced for arson on federal land. One person was killed during the standoff, which concluded when the FBI intervened.

According to KOIN 6, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Jeff Banta, Shawna Cox, Neil Wampler, Kenneth Medenbach, and David Fry were acquitted of federal conspiracy charges and weapons charges. Conspiracy charges included trying to intimidate refuge workers into not doing their jobs through threats or force.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Harney County Sheriff David M. Ward released statements saying they were disappointed in the trial’s outcome. Ward said in his statement that regardless of the verdict he still stood by the justice system.

BREAKING: Harney Co. Sheriff Dave Ward releases statement on #oregonstandoff verdict. https://t.co/xtWGxgL5IT #KOIN6News pic.twitter.com/AgDHqfFbZJ

Gov. Kate Brown tweeted: “While I respect the jury’s decision, I am disappointed. The occupation of the Malheur Refuge by outsiders did not reflect the Oregon way of respectfully working together to resolve differences. I appreciate the due diligence of our federal partners and stand with the communities of Harney County and residents of Burns.”

KOIN6 also reported the Bundys will stand trial next year for a separate standoff with federal agents in 2014 at Cliven Bundy’s ranch.

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