Jury In 2nd Oregon Standoff Trial Will Remain Anonymous

By Ryan Haas

Published January 13, 2017 at 3:44 PM PST

U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown said Friday she will keep the identities of jurors anonymous for the second Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation trial.

Defendants Jason Patrick, Duane Ehmer, Dylan Anderson, Sean Anderson, Sandy Anderson, Darryl Thorn and Jake Ryan are scheduled to go to trial Feb. 14.

In her order, Brown said her experience with the first trial and others throughout her career guided her decision.

"Based on 25 years of experience as a trial judge, this Court finds if jurors' names and personally-identifiable information are publicly disclosed, there is an unacceptable, continuous, and significant risk that jurors will be contacted," Brown wrote.

She said that such contact has the potential to compromise the jurors' ability to make a decision on the case without being subjected to "external information and influences."

A number of supporters of Ammon Bundy and other occupiers spent many days outside the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse in Portland during the first trial. They carried signs and at times chanted at the building, encouraging jurors to acquit the occupiers through jury nullification.

Bundy and the other occupiers were acquitted on all charges during that trial.

Brown also noted at times the court has received messages "threatening presiding judicial officers and those involved in the court process."

Under the judge's order, jurors will not use the main entrance of the courthouse when coming or going, and will be partially sequestered throughout the trial.

Court officials have already mailed the first of approximately 1,000 jury summonses. Brown has asked counsel on both sides of the case to review returned records and let her know which jurors will be excused for cause no later than Feb. 3.

<p>Bundy supporter John Lamb, from Bozeman, Montana, grilled hot dogs Monday while waiting for a verdict in the Malheur refuge trial.</p> — Bundy supporter John Lamb, from Bozeman, Montana, grilled hot dogs Monday while waiting for a verdict in the Malheur refuge trial.

<p>Duane Ehmer, left, and defendant Jeff Banta, right, along with "Lady Liberty" outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Portland</p> — Duane Ehmer, left, and defendant Jeff Banta, right, along with "Lady Liberty" outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Portland

Conrad Wilson

Bundy supporter Brand Nu Thornton blew his shofar in the back of a pickup truck, circulating the streets of downtown Portland.

<p>Bundy supporters shoe a horse outside the U.S. Federal District Courthouse in downtown Portland.</p> — Bundy supporters shoe a horse outside the U.S. Federal District Courthouse in downtown Portland.

<p>"Lady Liberty" getting some new shoes Monday outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Portland.</p> — "Lady Liberty" getting some new shoes Monday outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Portland.

<p>Refuge occupier Duane Ehmer says his horse "Hellboy" is at home because someone put a price ($12,000) on the horse's head.</p> — Refuge occupier Duane Ehmer says his horse "Hellboy" is at home because someone put a price ($12,000) on the horse's head.

<p>Outside the courthouse stood a half-dozen American flags and a red sign that instructed the jury to ignore the law if they disagree with it — a message encouraging jury nullification.</p> — Outside the courthouse stood a half-dozen American flags and a red sign that instructed the jury to ignore the law if they disagree with it — a message encouraging jury nullification.

<p>Puyallup, Washington, resident Brian Edgin says "it's a sad day in America when our own government doesn't support the Constitution of America."</p> — Puyallup, Washington, resident Brian Edgin says "it's a sad day in America when our own government doesn't support the Constitution of America."

<p>Outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Portland on Monday, a group of occupation supporters — and some of the defendants in the case — gathered to waive American flags and make signs.</p> — Outside the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Portland on Monday, a group of occupation supporters — and some of the defendants in the case — gathered to waive American flags and make signs.