Crime, Law & Justice

Closing arguments are finished in the trial of seven people charged in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year. The case now heads to the 12-person jury for deliberation.

Attorney Matt Schindler, hybrid counsel for defendant Ken Medenbach, delivered a thunderous argument to the jury in defense not just of his client, but of the occupation as a whole.

“How did any of these people benefit from protesting the death of rural America?” Schindler said.

Ammon Bundy, one of seven occupiers currently on trial for the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon, took the witness stand for the second time Wednesday.

Bundy offered a sprawling testimony that encompassed his Mormon faith, weapons, the U.S. Constitution and Oregon Congressman Greg Walden, among other things.

Bundy’s testimony, which lasted most of Wednesday and is expected to continue Thursday, illustrated some of his motivations in the takeover — and how it rubbed off on fellow occupiers.

In a tearful testimony Tuesday afternoon, Ammon Bundy began to lay out reasons for his involvement in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon.

Malheur refuge occupation leader Ammon Bundy accused U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown on Monday of blocking his defense team’s case. And Bundy said that’s the reason for his choice to take the stand in the trial of seven occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

A Springfield man was arrested Thursday evening for disrupting a rally against hate speech.

Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday in the trial of seven occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, turning it over to the defense who will begin laying out its case Wednesday.

The prosecution began the day with a gun show, presenting to the jury 22 long guns and 12 handguns found on the refuge along with copious amounts of ammunition.

Oregon state police are renewing their call for tips surrounding the toppling of a large sandstone pedestal in Cape Kiwanda this summer.

An informant tipped off Oregon State Police that Malheur occupation leaders were traveling to John Day, Oregon, on Jan. 26, according to information revealed Wednesday in court.

Authorities used that information to take Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox and several others into custody after stopping them en route to a community meeting in nearby Grant County on Jan. 26, 2016.

Wednesday’s testimony centered mostly on that day, which drastically altered the occupation’s trajectory.

Fish biologist Linda Beck testified Monday that the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge delayed work she was doing to deal with invasive carp.

A Eugene police auditor says an officer used excessive force during last year’s arrest of two relatives of the local NAACP president.

Eugene Police believe a body found in rural Klamath County is that of Cheryl Hart. The St. Helens woman was last seen August 4th.

The federal trial for seven of the occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge began Wednesday in Portland. A handful of occupation supporters and opponents showed up to watch the first-day proceedings, which were focused on jury selection.

U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown says jurors in the refuge occupation trial will hear from federal employees and see a video of a defendant chasing a "squirrel or mini groundhog."

In an extensive ruling issued Thursday, Brown laid out what disputed evidence and testimony would be allowed in the trial of Ammon Bundy and others accused of taking over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Testimony in the discrimination case brought by former reporter Serena Markstrom against The Register-Guard newspaper continued Thursday with Serena Markstrom on the stand for most of the day. Additional witnesses for the prosecution are expected to appear on Friday. 

Jury selection begins in Eugene Tuesday for the discrimination case brought by Serena Markstrom against The Register-Guard newspaper. Forty-eight prospective jurors will be whittled down to twelve, possibly by the end of the day.

In a pre-trial hearing this morning, Lane County Circuit Judge Josephine Mooney hashed out language for statements and instructions to jurors.