Acquittal Of 7 Oregon Occupiers Poses Questions On Fate Of 7 More

Protestors gather outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The trial of The Bundy brothers, Ammon and Ryan, and five others are on trial nine months after the armed occupation of a w... Protestors gather outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. The trial of The Bundy brothers, Ammon and Ryan, and five others are on trial nine months after the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon as government prosecutors begin opening statements today in Portland.(AP Photo/Don Ryan) MORE LESS
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The acquittal of seven people who took over a federal wildlife refuge in a 41-day armed standoff with authorities raises questions about what prosecutors will do with seven more defendants in the same case who are going to court in February.

The verdict earlier this month has emboldened and entrenched the remaining defendants, and many say they would never take a plea deal.

Prosecutors have yet to say what they will do in a case that has generated national scrutiny.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Portland declined to comment on the acquittals and the upcoming trial.

Defense attorneys, however, questioned whether government prosecutors would be wise to proceed, given that the first jury didn’t buy the government’s conspiracy case.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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