Feds dealt a loss
Blanket acquittals for 2 Bundy helpers; 2 more largely beat rap
Jurors on Tuesday acquitted two men of charges that could have sent them to federal prison for decades, and they reached a split decision for two others in a retrial that stemmed from the 2014 armed standoff in Bunkerville.
The four men hugged their attorneys as about two dozen loyal supporters erupted into cheers from the gallery of a courtroom where they had quietly
watched weeks and weeks of testimony.
Montana resident Ricky Lovelien and Idaho resident Steven Stewart were acquitted of all 10 counts they faced and were expected to be released from custody Tuesday night.
Stewart cried and nodded his head along with each “not guilty” U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro read aloud, while Lovelien showed little more emotion than a grin.
After several supporters stepped outside to line Las Vegas Boulevard and trumpet the verdicts, defense attorneys gathered briefly in a hallway just outside Navarro’s courtroom.
Stewart’s attorney, Rich Tanasi, said he
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was thankful to the jury and “ecstatic that my client gets to go home and see his family.”
Lovelien’s lawyer, Shawn Perez, told reporters that prosecutors had “overcharged” the defendants.
“I’m real happy for Ricky,” Perez said. “He’s a good guy. … It’s an overwhelming feeling. I can’t even tell you. I know he’s looking forward to a steak and a beer. Something.”
The panel of six women and six men deliberated for a little more than three days. The jury also acquitted Idaho residents Scott Drexler and Eric Parker of most counts but could not agree on all charges against the two men.
“What we have here is a win,” said Parker’s wife, Andrea, joined by about 25 others outside the federal courthouse.
All four men had been held without bail since early 2016.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre said prosecutors have not decided when they will retry Drexler and Parker on the remaining charges.
Navarro scheduled Wednesday hearings for the two men, who were expected to be transferred to a federal halfway house in the meantime. The judge could decide to release them while prosecutors contemplate their next step.
Chained at the ankles inside the courtroom late Tuesday afternoon, Parker and Drexler fistbumped their attorneys,
Jess Marchese and Todd Leventhal, before marshals escorted them back to a holding area.
Parker still faces significant prison time for charges of assault and threatening a federal officer, along with underlying weapons charges. The jury also did not reach a verdict on assault and a weapons charge for Drexler.
“I hope the government sees they have a weak case,” Parker’s lawyer, Marchese, said. “And I hope they decide to dismiss the remaining counts and save the taxpayers some money.”
The potential for temporary freedom means Drexler