Las Vegas Sun

April 25, 2024

Cliven Bundy to face magistrate about attorney question

Bundy Ranch Liberty Celebration

L.E. Baskow

Cliven Bundy takes a moment to ponder a question from a supporter during the Bundy Ranch Liberty Celebration near Bunkerville on Saturday, April, 11, 2015.

Nevada cattleman and state's rights figure Cliven Bundy is due before a federal magistrate judge in Las Vegas to say whether he intends to represent himself during his upcoming trial stemming from a 2014 armed standoff with federal agents.

Today's hearing comes after Bundy's defense attorney, Bret Whipple, filed documents last week saying that Bundy wants him off his case.

Whipple says he doesn't know if Bundy has another lawyer or intends to serve as his own lawyer.

Jury selection is set to start Oct. 10 for Bundy, two sons and four other men — including two defendants whose retrial ended last month with acquittal on most charges and no verdicts on assault on a federal officer and weapon counts.

Bundy's eldest son, Ryan Bundy, has been representing himself in the case.