Malheur trial begins: Opening statements underway

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Opening statements began Tuesday in the case of seven people accused of taking over and occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Federal prosecutor Geoffrey Barrow said in opening statements that the group isn’t on trial because of their anti-government beliefs. Barrow told jurors “everyone in this great nation has a right to his or her beliefs.” But, he says the defendants broke the law when they seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Barrow says one of their witnesses will be an occupier who pleaded guilty to a “conspiracy to impede” charge, hoping to receive a reduced sentence.

Ryan Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Jeff Banta, Neil Wampler, Kenneth Medenbach, David Fry and Shawna Cox all pleaded not guilty to conspiring to impede federal employees from carrying out their work at the refuge through intimidation, threats or force

Group leader Ammon Bundy says the refuge was seized to protest federal land use policies.In his opening statement, Ammon Bundy’s defense attorney talked about the meeting between Bundy and Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward. Bundy told Ward he isn’t anti-government but instead favors limited government, and that Bundy wants to restore rights to the people.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys spent last week choosing 12 jurors and 8 alternatives in the federal case.

There will be a series of opening statements, one for each of the 7 defendants. Federal prosecutors said they would break down their case into 4 separate chapters, starting with the buildup before the occupation began January 2, 2016.

Trial for the Malheur Refuge occupation

(L-R, top to bottom) Ryan Bundy, Ammon Bundy, Jeff Banta, Neil Wampler, Kenneth Medenbach, David Fry and Shawna Cox. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Federal Judge Anna J. Brown on the opening day of the trial for the 7 defendants in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation trial, September 13, 2016 (KOIN)

Federal prosecutor Geoffrey Barrow during opening statements in the trial of 7 defendants in the Malheur Refuge occupation began September 13, 2016 (For KOIN: Sketch Artist Deborah Marble)

Opening statements in the trial of 7 defendants in the Malheur Refuge occupation began September 13, 2016 (For KOIN: Sketch Artist Deborah Marble)

Bundy protesters gather at Multnomah County Justice Center. September 11, 2016 (KOIN)

Ryan Bundy and Shawna Cox in a courtroom sketch on the first day of jury selection in the Malheur Refuge occupation case, September 7, 2016 (Courtesy: Deborah Marble)

Ammon Bundy in a courtroom sketch on the first day of jury selection in the Malheur Refuge occupation case, September 7, 2016 (Courtesy: Deborah Marble)

On Monday, Judge Anna J. Brown denied a motion to suppress information from the occupiers’ Facebook pages. Their online records will be presented to the jury, among dozens of other exhibits including a 3D model of the refuge, photos, signs, guns and ammunition recovered from the scene.

Malheur trial: Jury instructions

Charges against Internet radio host Pete Santilli were dropped before the jury was selected. He still faces charges in Nevada for his role in the Cliven Bundy case.

Five defendants also are charged with possession of a firearm in a federal facility.

Two face an additional charge of theft of government property.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

List of exhibits to be presented in Malheur trial