US Prosecutors Oppose Bids for Separate Trials in Bundy Case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Prosecutors are telling a federal judge in Las Vegas that Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and 18 co-defendants should be tried together in a criminal conspiracy case stemming from an armed standoff with federal agents in 2014.

Documents filed Friday by the U.S. attorney in Nevada respond to filings by Bundy, his adult sons and nearly all the other defendants seeking separate trials. Prosecutors argue it's more efficient for one trial with one jury that can see "the entire picture of an alleged crime."

The 19 men have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, obstruction, weapon, threat and assault charges in the gunpoint standoff that stopped a government round-up of cattle on public land near Bundy's ranch outside Bunkerville. Each is jailed pending trial next February.