Las Vegas Trial Starting for 6 in Bundy Ranch Standoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trial is opening in Las Vegas for six defendants accused of illegally wielding weapons to block a federal round-up of states' rights advocate Cliven Bundy's cows nearly three years ago.

A U.S. District Court jury will hear Thursday from prosecutors saying the six men deserve prison for conspiring against the government — and from defense attorneys casting their clients as citizens who exercised constitutional free speech and weapon rights.

No shots were fired in the April 2014 standoff near Bunkerville.

But the victory of self-styled militia over federal rangers reverberated across Western rangeland where Bundy is revered by backers for declaring that property belongs to the people, not the government in Washington, D.C.

This trial will also be a preview for trials upcoming for Bundy, four sons and six other defendants.