A federal jury in Las Vegas declined to convict four men of any crimes for their participation in the 2014 armed standoff near the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev. During that conflict, ranchers and militia members blocked federal officers from confiscating livestock owned by the Nevada cattleman Cliven Bundy. On Tuesday, jurors acquitted the defendants Richard R. Lovelien and Steven A. Stewart of all charges and O. Scott Drexler and Eric J. Parker on most counts against them. Jurors could … [Read more...]

Here are your Wednesday morning headlines: 1. Two men were acquitted of all charges in the Bunkerville standoff caseyesterday, avoiding decades in federal prison. Ricky Lovelien and Steven Stewart were acquitted of all 10 counts they faced, while jurors reached a split decision for 2 others. Jurors deliberated for a little more than three days before reaching the decision. 2. Ever wondered why you can’t play the Powerball in Nevada? The answer is simple: the gaming industry in Nevada … [Read more...]

Updated August 15, 2017 - 8:48 pm   Defense attorneys sat silently Tuesday, rather than give closing arguments for the four men facing a retrial in the Bundy Ranch standoff. Hamstrung throughout the trial by a judge’s decision to limit the witnesses they could call, the questions they could ask and the testimony their clients could give, the lawyers made the final decision, a statement of sorts, after discussing the option with the defendants — Eric Parker, Scott Drexler, Steven … [Read more...]

Prosecutors and defense attorneys gave opening statements Monday in the retrial against four Bunkerville standoff defendants, and presented a new batch of jurors with a question that has hung over the federal courthouse all year. Was the 2014 armed standoff in Bunkerville the result of a coordinated assault or a mass protest? The jury heard arguments to support both scenarios when lawyers spoke Monday in front of a packed federal courtroom in which Eric Parker, Steven Stewart, Scott … [Read more...]