breaking...Judge Convicts 4 Malheur Occupiers Of Misdemeanor Charges

Four defendants who participated in last year’s occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were convicted Tuesday of misdemeanors ranging from trespassing to damaging government property. U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown, who oversaw two jury trials linked to the case, ruled directly on the misdemeanors. She convicted defendants Jason Patrick, Darryl Thorn, Jake Ryan and Duane Ehmer of trespassing and tampering with vehicles and equipment at the refuge. Patrick was also convicted of damaging property at the refuge. A jury decided earlier this month to convict the four defendants on a range of federal felonies, including conspiracy to impede federal workers from doing their jobs. Tuesday’s misdemeanor convictions will possibly add to the sentences for each of the four men. In some cases, the defendants could face as many as six years in prison...more