Prosecutors in Nevada seek trial date for Bundys

Federal prosecutors in Nevada have asked a judge to schedule the second Bunkerville conspiracy trial for rancher Cliven Bundy, sons Ammon Bundy and Ryan Bundy and other leading defendants in the 2014 armed standoff near the family ranch for June 5 or later. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre urged the court to set a definitive date to help lawyers on both sides prepare for the second trial and assist witnesses in making travel arrangements. The request comes as the prosecutors are still in the initial trial of six co-defendants that began Feb. 6 and has lasted nearly two months. Prosecutors anticipate calling about 60 witnesses, twice as many as the approximately 35 the government has so far called during the first trial, Myhre wrote. The court had planned the second trial to start 30 days after the end of the first trial. But Myhre said the lack of a specific date leaves "too much uncertainty'' for legal preparation. In Nevada, the Bundys face 16 felony counts, including extortion, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, assault on a federal officer and threatening a federal officer. In a related matter, defendant Pete Santilli supports a June 5 trial date but also asked that he be tried separately from the Bundys, concerned his co-defendants haven't been aggressively preparing for trial but more focused on protesting their jail conditions...more