Saturday, February 20, 2016

Refuge holdout Sandy Anderson wasn't aware of federal orders to leave, lawyer says

Sandra Anderson, one of the last four people to surrender at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on the 41st day of the armed occupation, will be released from jail but can't have any contact with her co-defendant husband. U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice M. Stewart agreed Friday with the government that Anderson engaged in a "very public defiance'' of federal law enforcement orders. But the judge allowed Anderson's release, noting she has a steady place to live in Riggins, Idaho, has held a steady job and has no criminal history. Anderson, 48, and her husband, Sean Anderson, 47, both of Riggins, were among the final holdhouts who remained at the Harney County refuge for another two weeks after the takeover leaders were arrested Jan. 26. Anderson's court-appointed lawyer, Tyl Bakker, said his client didn't know the Bundys, who led the refuge occupation. She also hadn't engaged in political protest in the past and had visited the refuge with her husband on four separate occasions before the final visit – no longer than two nights each time – to bring donations and other supplies to Ammon Bundy, his brother, Ryan, and other protesters, Bakker said...more

No comments: