Parker contended in the motion that visiting the scene will help jurors understand the scope of the rural area.
In particular, he urged the court to allow the jurors to walk the Toquop Wash, where federal agents eventually released Bundy’s impounded cattle.
NEVADA STANDOFF
Defendants request jurors visit Bundy ranch
Defendants in the trial for the 2014 armed standoff at the Bundy family ranch in Nevada have asked the court to allow the jury to visit the scene of the alleged crimes.
Eric Parker, an Idaho native and one of the 17 defendants in the case, filed a motion last week requesting that the yet-to-be-seated jury visit the site near Bunkerville, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
Multiple other defendants, including Cliven Bundy, have joined Parker’s request.
Parker contended in the motion that visiting the scene will help jurors understand the scope of the rural area.
In particular, he urged the court to allow the jurors to walk the Toquop Wash, where federal agents eventually released Bundy’s impounded cattle.
“Although pictures and video of the area will certainly help,” his attorney wrote, “they cannot illustrate the sheer enormity of the residence or spatial reference of the vantage points.”
Parker acknowledged that the visit would be an “inconvenience” because it would require shutting down one northbound lane of Interstate 15, a major highway.
The government has not responded to Parker’s motion yet.
Federal prosecutors have charged the 17 defendants with a variety of felonies and misdemeanors stemming from the April 2014 standoff at the Bundy family ranch over illegally grazing cattle and Cliven Bundy’s refusal to pay grazing fees on public lands.
The charges include conspiracy, illegal use of firearms, extortion and threatening federal officials.
Last month, the federal district court in Nevada broke the case into three trials. The first, which will involve the least culpable defendants — who include Parker — is set to begin Feb. 6.
The second trial, for the leaders of the standoff, including the Bundys, will begin 30 days after the first proceeding. The third trial for the remaining defendants will commence 30 days after that one end
Jeremy P. Jacobs
Free Range Report
