Tuesday’s activities at the third Bunkerville Standoff trial in Las Vegas started with US District Judge Gloria Navarro and the prosecution and defense lawyers in the courtroom.
The hearing they were holding was to discuss motions related to the trial.
A juror’s summons to another court delayed the jury from being present for the trial itself to continue.
The lead prosecutor, Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre, was outraged over what Cliven Bundy’s defense lawyer Bret Whipple said in court yesterday about a BLM agent trying to bribe a Bundy in-law to become an informant.
Myrhe spoke of “imflammatory, unfounded claims”.
The defense now has body cam video of the BLM agents during their March 2014 visit to the Bundy Ranch area where the bribe offer was said to have taken place.
BLM agent Robert Shilaikis was back on the stand in the afternoon. The defense cross-examined him.
He was asked about his contact, conversations with Clancy Cox and often gave the “I don’t recall” answer. He shook his head and put on the appearance of being confused when asked certain questions.
Shilaikis has been trained to answer questions at trials, this was revealed earlier. His answers to prosecution questions were more clear and precise that his “I don’t recall” answers and evasion when being questioned by the defense.
Ryan Bundy, acting in his defense, discussed a call he made to the Bureau of Land Management on March 18, 2014 when he asked Agent Johnson, Shiliakis’s partner if the conversation of the day before had been recorded. Johnson said “No”. But of the course the recording of the call is now evidence that has been played at the trial.
Bundy asked Shiliakis if Johnson had lied and he admitted that Johnson had told a lie.
Then Bundy went on to ask if it is BLM policy to lie. Agent Shiliakis did not want to answer the question but the judge said he had to and he said “No its not common” according to trial observer John Lamb. Ryan Bundy then asked Shiliakis if he lies and he answered “No”.
Cliven Bundy’s attorney Bret Whipple asked about any conversations that Agent Shiliakis had with Clancy Cox and any claims by the agent to Cox that he grew up on a ranch and supported the Bundy’s and “I don’t recall” was again being used by Shiliakis claiming it happened three and a half years ago and his memory needed refreshing.
Judge Navarro will allow Mr. Cox to testify at a later date to offer his version of events involving his interaction with BLM agents.
Jurors also submitted written questions for Shiliakis as he wrapped up his testimony.
The next prosecution witness will be called as the trial continues Wednesday (November 29th).
(UPDATED LATE TUESDAY, EARLY WEDNESDAY)
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