PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A judge has ruled that two brothers accused of leading an armed standoff at a remote Oregon wildlife refuge will remain in jail ahead of their federal trial.
Ammon and Ryan Bundy and others occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge for more than a month this winter to protest federal land policy and the imprisonment of two ranchers for starting fires.
Federal Judge Robert Jones has granted pretrial release to many of the men and women indicted on conspiracy charges in the case but decided Tuesday to keep the Bundys behind bars.
Jones says he's concerned they won't appear for trial and might attempt to recruit supporters for another occupation.
The 41-day standoff ended Feb. 11 and included the shooting death of occupation spokesman Robert "LaVoy" Finicum by authorities during a traffic stop.
More than two dozen people were indicted on charges of conspiring to impede Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at the refuge. Eight men have pleaded guilty.
