LAS VEGAS — Armed assault and lawful protest were the opposing scenarios presented to a federal jury in Las Vegas as the retrial began for four men who bore assault-style weapons during a standoff that stopped government agents from rounding up rancher Cliven Bundy’s cattle in April 2014.
Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre (MI’-ree) told jurors during openings on Monday that evidence will show the gunmen used what he called “the working end of a rifle barrel” to bend the law to their will.
Myhre says jurors should focus on conspiracy, assault on a federal agent, weapon and other charges.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that defense attorney Richard Tanasi cast the men as individuals who stood for what they believe against the U.S. government.
Trial is expected to take several weeks.
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