Opening Arguments Begin In Refuge Occupation Case

[struggle4progress]

By CONRAD WILSON • 7 MINUTES AGO

... Prosecutors will likely argue the defendants engaged in a well thought out and coordinated effort to commit a crime ...

Based on months of pre-trial hearings, the defense is expected to say their clients did not engage in a conspiracy. Rather what happened at the refuge was a political protest targeting government overreach. Defendants believe they didn’t intimidate anyone and that their actions are protected by the First and Second Amendments.

Three of the defendants are acting as their own defense lawyers during the trial ...

http://nwpr.org/post/opening-arguments-begin-refuge-occupation-case

[struggle4progress]

1. A quick look at Malheur standoff defendants

Associated Press
7:49 a.m. PDT September 13, 2016

... DAVID FRY .. surrendered Feb. 11 after a lengthy negotiation that was carried live on a YouTube feed. He talked of UFOs, requested pizza and marijuana, and threatened to kill himself. Defense attorney Per Olson has said a mental health expert will testify that Fry suffers from a personality disorder characterized by paranoia, and it intensifies under stress ...

SHAWNA COX .. was in the truck with .. "LaVoy" Finicum before he was fatally shot ... Cox sued the U.S government after her arrest, seeking damages "from the works of the devil in excess of $666,666,666,666.66." A judge allowed Cox to act as her own lawyer but warned her not to question the authority of the court or take other "screwball positions."

KENNETH MEDENBACH .. has been fixated on whether U.S. District Judge Anna Brown took the appropriate oath of office when she was appointed in 1999. He's repeatedly brought it up at pretrial hearings and filed a lawsuit on the issue that was quickly dismissed ...

NEIL WAMPLER .. was convicted in 1977 of second-degree murder in the death of his father. The Tribune of San Luis Obispo reported that he has previously written letters .. criticizing gun control measures.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/crime/2016/09/13/quick-look-malheur-standoff-defendants-set-trial/90300264/