The Latest: Judge scrubs trial date in Bundy case in Nevada

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Latest on the federal prosecution in Nevada of rancher Cliven Bundy and 18 other defendants in an armed confrontation with government officers two years ago (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

There won’t be a federal trial next month in Las Vegas for rancher Cliven Bundy and 18 other defendants in an armed confrontation with government officers two years ago.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen issued a brief ruling that essentially calls a May 2 date unrealistic.

Leen says none of the 19 defendants have received any of the evidence against them for review, and five defendants who have been in custody in Oregon were just arraigned last week.

The order doesn’t set a new trial date.

Federal prosecutors asked for next February because of the number of defendants and the exceptionally large amount of evidence they need to exchange with defence attorneys.

Fourteen of the defendants say they want to exercise their right to a speedy trial.

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12:55 p.m.

There was no immediate decision in court Friday whether trial will be held next month in Las Vegas for rancher Cliven Bundy and 18 other defendants in an armed confrontation with government officers two years ago.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen said she’ll issue a written ruling by the end of the day.

Federal prosecutors asked to set a date next February, due to the number of defendants and the exceptionally large amount of evidence they need to exchange with defence attorneys.

Most of the 19 defendants said they want to exercise their right to a speedy trial.

But they complain they haven’t seen any evidence yet.

Seven co-defendants in Nevada also face a federal trial in Oregon following their arrests in an armed occupation of a U.S. wildlife refuge.

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3:10 a.m.

A federal magistrate judge in Nevada is considering whether trial can be held next month in Las Vegas for rancher Cliven Bundy and 18 other defendants in an armed confrontation with government officers two years ago.

Federal prosecutors will ask Friday to push the date back due to the number of defendants and the exceptionally large amount of evidence that’ll need to be exchanged with defence attorneys.

Prosecutor Steven Myhre says material includes investigators’ reports, photos and Internet postings by defendants and their supporters.

Three of the 19 defendants say they’ll exercise their right to a speedy trial.

Seven co-defendants in Nevada, including two of Bundy’s adult sons, are also facing a federal trial in September in Oregon following their arrests in an armed occupation of a U.S. wildlife refuge.