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No Convictions In Bundy Standoff Case

REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
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Four men charged with waving weapons at federal agents at Cliven Bundy’s ranch in Bunkerville, Nevada escaped conviction on Tuesday, but other charges still need to be decided.

According to the Las Vegas CBS 8 news affiliate, after four days of deliberation jurors dismissed 10 charges against Idaho residents Scott Drexler, Eric Parker and Steven Stewart and Montana residents Steven Stewart, and Ricky Lovelien.

These indictments included weapon possession, conspiracy, and assault on a federal agent. The men were on trial again for their actions in relation to the armed standoff with federal law enforcement as a result of the 2014 cattle seizure near the Bundy family ranch.

The retrial happened after a federal judge declared a mistrial last April when jurors remained deadlocked in the case that started with six defendants. Although two were convicted at that time on numerous counts the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the other four, , Arizona Central reported.

Prosecutors at the retrial claimed the remaining four defendants coordinated with the Bundy family and used weapons to threaten federal agents when officers moved in. The federal agents came to carry out court orders to remove cattle owned by the Bundy family from public land after the family refused to pay grazing fees.

Although the jury found the men not guilty on a number of charges, the jury has yet to reach verdicts on other charges. The judge may order the jurors to continue to deliberate until final decisions are made.

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Kerry Picket