Defense lawyer accuses Reid of trying to ‘prejudice’ Bundy case
U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada is trying to “prejudice” the criminal case against rancher Cliven Bundy stemming from the 2014 Bunkerville standoff, a defense lawyer charged Tuesday.
In court papers, Joel Hansen cited Reid’s remarks on the floor of the Senate last week calling Bundy an “outrageous lawbreaker” and saying he is “where he should be — in jail.”
Hansen accused the Democratic leader of wrongly branding Bundy and his family domestic terrorists.
The defense lawyer pointed out that Reid was instrumental in getting U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro, who is presiding over the case, appointed to the bench.
Hansen also said President Barack Obama, who appointed Navarro, once “mocked Bundy” at a White House dinner for correspondents in Washington, D.C.
Hansen asked Navarro to take up his concerns at “an appropriate time.
Bundy, 69, is in federal custody facing 16 felony charges stemming from the April 12, 2014, armed standoff with law enforcement near his Bunkerville ranch. He and 18 other people, including four of his sons, were charged in a federal indictment in Las Vegas last month.
Hansen is trying to persuade Navarro to add widely known Washington lawyer Larry Klayman to Bundy’s defense team.
Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Find @JGermanRJ on Twitter.