Bundys, lands groups worlds apart in views

Foes cry ‘technicality,’ but judge ‘had enough’

Cliven Bundy stepped toward freedom and a crowd of supporters Monday as a light rain fell outside the federal courthouse in Las Vegas for the first time since before his trial began.

The supporters, many of whom observed years of court proceedings in connection with the April 2014 standoff in Bunkerville, hooted and cheered after a judge threw out the case against Bundy, two of his sons and a self-proclaimed independent militia leader.

“Freedom,” one patron bellowed. Others began to chant in unison: “Who do we want? Cliven Bundy. When do we want him? Now.”

With his right arm, he cradled the neck of his wife, Carol. With his left hand, he raised a brown cowboy hat toward the sky outside the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse.

“I come in this court an innocent man, and I’m going to leave an innocent man,” he said.

Cliven Bundy and his lawyer have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon outside Metropolitan Police Department headquarters to discuss how they plan to proceed following the dismissal.

Bundy later smiled and said, “I’m happy to be a producer that produces something good to eat. I harvest my cattle. … Red beef, it’s good to eat. It’s a steak. That’s what’s for dinner. That’s where I’m headed.”

U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro dismissed the case against Cliven Bundy and three others Monday because of “flagrant prosecutorial misconduct.”

“Certainly from the tone of her voice and the things she said, it appears she really had enough,” said attorney Bret Whipple, who represents the rancher. “And the deception appeared to be intentional, and it was not acceptable in our system.”

Cliven Bundy, his sons Ammon and Ryan and co-defendant Ryan Payne went on trial in late October on charges that stemmed from the standoff with federal agents.

Conservation groups expressed immediate disappointment with the dismissal of the charges.

Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, released the following statement Monday:

“The Bundy family took up arms against the U.S. government, endangering the lives of the men and women who work tirelessly to protect America’s public lands. Letting the Bundys walk free on a technicality should send a chill down the spines of anyone who values our parks, wildlife refuges and all public lands.”

Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, released a statement that accused prosecutors of bungling the case.

“The Bundys rallied a militia to mount an armed insurrection against the government,” the statement said. “The failure of this case will only embolden this violent and racist anti-government movement that wants to take over our public lands.”

Ammon Bundy’s lawyer, Dan Hill, called the ruling “the clearest-cut, most unwavering dismissal” he has seen.

He told reporters that he long believed in the innocence of the Bundys.

“The Bundys are such men of principle,” Hill said. “They are incapable of not telling the truth.”

Ammon Bundy told reporters after Monday’s ruling: “God gave us the advantage, and the truth will set you free.”

Ryan Bundy said Navarro should dismiss the case against all remaining defendants.

“The government has acted wrongly from the get-go,” he said.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Ryan Norwoood, who represents Payne, said no one has come out a winner.

“The prosecution has destroyed people’s lives,” he said.

Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702380-1039. Follow @randompoker on Twitter.