Judge in Las Vegas says 4-month trial expected in Bundy standoff

A trial could take four months for Nevada rancher and states' rights figure Cliven Bundy, his two sons and one other co-defendant accused of leading a self-styled militia to prevent federal agents from removing Bundy cattle from public rangeland, a federal judge told prospective jurors on Monday. Jury selection alone could take several days, Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro told 49 people during a first day of questioning about their backgrounds, opinions and ability to impartially decide whether Bundy, sons Ryan and Ammon Bundy, and co-defendant Ryan Payne of Montana conspired to lead an armed uprising against the government. Similar-sized groups of prospective jurors are due for questioning through Thursday. "Although they are accused, they start trial with a clean slate," the judge said of the defendants. Court proceedings began with security exceptionally tight inside the federal courthouse in Las Vegas, and in the courtroom where observers are banned from having electronic devices including cellphones. A small sidewalk protest outside echoed more robust demonstrations organized by Bundy backers during two previous trials. The four defendants were conspicuous in Monday's courtroom, sitting wearing red jail scrubs next to their lawyers — including one aiding Ryan Bundy, who is representing himself. Each defendant has been in federal custody since his arrest in Oregon in early 2016, and each has protested his pretrial confinement. Each told Navarro when she asked on Monday that his decision not to wear civilian clothes was voluntary. "My attire is my choice today," Ryan Bundy said. "Yeah. I think they look pretty good," Ammon Bundy quipped...more