Attorney For Oregon Standoff Leader Faces New Charges In Courthouse Scuffle

By Kimberley Freda

Published January 19, 2017 at 8:01 AM PST

The attorney for the leader of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation is facing three charges in connection with a dramatic incident that played out as his client was acquitted last fall.

Marcus Mumford was tased by U.S. Marshals on Oct. 27, just after he learned his client, Ammon Bundy, and six others were found not guilty of conspiring to occupy the Oregon wildlife refuge.

Mumford argued at that time Bundy should have been released, but U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown said he would remain in custody because he was awaiting trial in Nevada for charges related to the 2014 standoff near Bunkerville.

Mumford previously faced charges of failing to comply with the lawful direction of federal police officers and impeding the performance of official duties. He pleaded not guilty to those charges last week, but the special prosecutor from Washington, Timothy Ohms, has replaced the charges.

The new charges that Mumford faces include creating disturbances by impeding or disrupting the performance of official duties, failure to comply with signs of a prohibitory, regulatory and directory nature, and failure to comply with the lawful direction of a federal police officer.

Mumford’s attorney, Michael Levine, has said Brown and U.S. marshals overreacted.

“My client was doing nothing that a zealous advocate would not do,” he said. “What we have here is an unprecedented attack on the defense bar, I truly believe unprecedented, and I’ve been practicing law for almost 40 years.”

A pretrial hearing in the case is set for Feb. 15.

Bradley W. Parks

A supporter displays a "NOT GUILTY!" button following the not guilty verdict delivered in the trial of seven occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Maureen Valdez, left, from Beaverton and Dory Borck from Portland, both supporters of the occupation, embrace following the deliverance of a not guilty verdict for all defendants in the occuption of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — Maureen Valdez, left, from Beaverton and Dory Borck from Portland, both supporters of the occupation, embrace following the deliverance of a not guilty verdict for all defendants in the occuption of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Defendant Neil Wampler hugs supporter Dory Borck. "Oh, just wonderful," Wampler said when asked how he felt about the verdict.</p> — Defendant Neil Wampler hugs supporter Dory Borck. "Oh, just wonderful," Wampler said when asked how he felt about the verdict.

<p>Supporters chant the names and verdicts of all seven defendants in the trial of occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — Supporters chant the names and verdicts of all seven defendants in the trial of occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Bradley W. Parks

Occupation supporter Brand Nu Thornton, left, raises his shofar and hugs fellow supporter John Lamb after seven occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon were found not guilty.

<p>Defense attorney Morgan Philpot answers questions following the delivery of not guilty verdicts.</p> — Defense attorney Morgan Philpot answers questions following the delivery of not guilty verdicts.

<p>Defendant Shawna Cox answers questions following the not guilty verdict delivered in the trial of her and six other occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — Defendant Shawna Cox answers questions following the not guilty verdict delivered in the trial of her and six other occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Occupation supporter Rick Koerber speaks to media outside the federal courthouse in Portland.</p> — Occupation supporter Rick Koerber speaks to media outside the federal courthouse in Portland.

<p>Occupation supporters (and a horse named Lady Liberty) marched around the block outside the federal courthouse in Portland following the verdict.</p> — Occupation supporters (and a horse named Lady Liberty) marched around the block outside the federal courthouse in Portland following the verdict.

<p>Defendant Jeff Banta gives an interview following the verdict. Banta and six others were all found not guilty of conspiracy.</p> — Defendant Jeff Banta gives an interview following the verdict. Banta and six others were all found not guilty of conspiracy.

<p>Tiffany Harris, attorney for Shawna Cox, speaks to media following the verdict.</p> — Tiffany Harris, attorney for Shawna Cox, speaks to media following the verdict.

Bradley W. Parks

Brand Nu Thornton blows the shofar outside the federal courthouse in Portland following the verdict.

<p>Defense attorney Matt Schindler answers questions following the delivery of the verdict outside the federal courthouse in Portland.</p> — Defense attorney Matt Schindler answers questions following the delivery of the verdict outside the federal courthouse in Portland.

<p>Occupation supporter Maureen Valdez speaks to media holding a pocket Constitution following the deliverance of a not guilty verdict for seven defendants in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p> — Occupation supporter Maureen Valdez speaks to media holding a pocket Constitution following the deliverance of a not guilty verdict for seven defendants in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>An occupation supporter shouts "Free the Hammonds" outside the federal courthouse in Portland. The 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was partly driven by the resentencing of Harney County ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond.</p> — An occupation supporter shouts "Free the Hammonds" outside the federal courthouse in Portland. The 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was partly driven by the resentencing of Harney County ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond.