MISTRIAL in Bunkerville Protest Trial
AGENDA 21 RADIO
BY PAUL PRESTON
by Shari Dovale
The verdicts are in for the first tier defendants in the Bunkerville Protest trial.
There are 6 defendants facing 10 counts each. There are potentially over 70 counts the collective defendants could be found guilty on. This includes separate “brandishing” enhancements to each of the three firearms charges.
The jury has announced they are hopelessly deadlocked on most of the charges, including the charges of conspiracy. Judge Gloria Navarro has declared a mistrial on those charges.
Though the jury is in disagreement about most of the charges, they have reached consensus on the following:
Greg Burleson, the former FBI informant, has been found guilty on 8 out of 10 charges. Additionally, he was found guilty of brandishing associated with each of the 3 firearms charges he was found guilty on.
Todd Engel, of Boundary County Idaho, has been found guilty on 2 charges. These charges are to do with obstruction of justice and interstate travel to aid in extortion.
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- Count 6- Use and Carry of a firearm: Greg Burleson is found guilty and jury found in addition guilty of brandishing his weapon.
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Count 8- Threatening a Federal Officer
Greg Burleson is found guilty.
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Count 9-Use & Carry of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence
Greg Burleson is found guilty and jury found in addition guilty of brandishing his weapon.
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Count 12- Obstruction of Justice
Greg Burleson is found guilty
Todd Engel is found guilty
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Count 4- Interference of Commerce & Extortion
Greg Burleson is found guilty.
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Count 15- Use & Carry of a Firearm
Greg Burleson is found guilty and jury found in addition guilty of brandishing his weapon.
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Count 16- Interstate Travel & aide to Extortion
Greg Burleson is found guilty
Todd Engel is found guilty
Hung jury, No verdict on all others. - Jury instructed under Allen charge to deliberate further on all ‘Hung Jury’ charges they were unable to unanimously decide.
- Count 6- Use and Carry of a firearm: Greg Burleson is found guilty and jury found in addition guilty of brandishing his weapon.
The jury came back last week to ask for more clarification of the definition of conspiracy. The judge was, apparently, not clear enough for the jury on this charge as they have not been able to reach an agreement to any conspiracy.
Each charge these defendants have faced is a felony with mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.
Todd Engel was convicted of two of the smallest charges that were listed. They are, basically, stemming from his internet postings, or emails. He is expected to receive minimum sentencing, possibly time served or probation.
Greg Burleson was found guilty of all charges with the exception of the conspiracy charges. He was also given the enhancements for “Brandishing” to each of the 3 firearms charges. These mandatory guidelines require him to serve so much time that there is no chance of him leaving prison during his lifetime.
Navarro has scheduled sentencing dates for the two defendants today. Burleson is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26th and Engel is scheduled for the following day, July 27th.
May 25th has been set for more information on the next round of this trial. The defendants are expected to be returned to Pahrump detention, though they plan to argue for release pending the new trial.
There has been a great team in Las Vegas keeping everyone up to date on everything that has happened. It is hard to name them all, but each one is very appreciated. Here are some of today’s updates:
