Free Speech Being “Stifled” in Bundy Standoff Case

The “Bundy trials” begin in a few days.  And the lawyer who is representing the Las Vegas Review-Journal and other news media filed court papers on Monday which accuse the government of trying to “stifle” free speech in the criminal case stemming from the 2014 Bunkerville standoff. The filings by Attorney Maggie McLethcie are part of an effort to overturn the protective order signed last month by U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen. The protective has been called “too broad and a blow to transparency” as it withholds the bulk of the government’s evidence from the public in this case. According to The Las Vegas Review-Journal:

The order prohibits defense teams for all 17 defendants from publicly disclosing grand jury transcripts, FBI and police reports, witness statements and other documents the government collected during its investigation into the April 2014 armed standoff between Bundy family forces and law enforcement. Leen issued the order without a public hearing and in the face of opposition by most of the defendants, including Bunkerville rancher Cliven Bundy and his four sons, and the news organizations represented by McLetchie. “The government has made a sufficient threshold showing of actual and potential threats, intimidation and harassment to victims, witnesses and law enforcement officers to show good cause for a protective order restricting dissemination of pretrial discovery,” Leen wrote. Federal prosecutors filed court papers last week supporting Leen’s decision, arguing she followed proper legal standards. But in court papers Monday, McLetchie argued that the government’s biggest fear in keeping its evidence confidential is public criticism...more

HT: Marvin Frisbey