Oregon Standoff Latest: Ammon Bundy Says Offer to Plead Guilty Was Rejected

Ammon Bundy offered to plead guilty and take responsibility for the protest and armed takeover at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, according to court papers filed Wednesday by his legal team.

"On January 29, 2016, when more government initiated violence seemed highly probable, Mr. Bundy reached out on his own initiative, through legal counsel, in an attempt to facilitate a speedy resolution, offering to take all responsibility for the protest – to enter into a plea agreement (subject to certain rights to bring Constitutional challenges at issue with the protest) despite being innocent of the charge and simply requested that the government dismiss charges against all other protesters and let those then at the refuge go home without charges or violence," they write.

According to Bundy's lawyers, on February 10, prosecutors wrote back, stating: "It is simply too early to discuss resolution of the case."

The news comes in a motion to either extend the deadline for Bundy's lawyers to file more motions or, if the judge says no to that, to sever Bundy's case from his co-defendants and set an immediate trial date.

Bundy is one of 27 people charged in connection with the armed takeover of the refuge.

He is also one of nearly two dozen charged in Nevada in connection with armed standoff with federal officials in a dispute with Bundy's father, Cliven.

Bundy and seven others were transported to Nevada recently for arraignment there and returned to Portland on Monday.

Buddy's lawyers argue that the transfer to Nevada and back printed from being "able to meaningfully confer" with his lawyers who had traveled to Nevada to keep preparing.

"Mr. Bundy’s attorney was denied the ability to bring a computer to review discovery, draft documents, etc. despite repeated requests. Mr. Bundy was also prohibited from having a pencil or pen during his meetings with his attorney," he writes.

The lawyers also detail what they say are many attempts to reach Bundy that were unsuccessful because of the jail in Nevada:

•  Call: 4/1/2016 – jail refused access / jailers interrupted call.
•  Call: 4/1/2016 – jail refused access / “Call back in two hours.”
•  Call: 4/1/2016 – jail refused access / “He’s not available.”
•  Call: 4/4/2016 – jail refused access / “We are short staffed, no calls.”
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / No answer.
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / No answer.
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / No answer.
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / “Please try back.”
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / No answer.
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / “Will move deputy, call back.”
•  Call: 4/5/2016 – jail refused access / “Phone is unavailable at this time.”
•  Call: 4/7/2016 – jail refused access / Short handed.
•  Call: 4/7/2016 – jail refused access / Short handed.
•  Call: 4/7/2016 – jail refused access / No Answer.
•  Call: 4/9/2016 – jail refused access / “No one is answering up there.”
•  Call: 4/9/2016 – jail refused access / “No deputy available in dorm.
•  Call: 4/9/2016 – jail refused access / “Will bring down later, call back.”
•  Call: 4/9/2016 – jail refused access / Hung up, disconnect.
•  Call: 4/9/2016 – jail refused access / Hung up, disconnect.
•  Call: 4/11/2016 – jail refused access / “He’s not available.”
•  Call: 4/11/2016 – jail refused access / Lockdown, no calls.
•  Call: 4/25/2016 – jail refused access / Not available.
•  Call: 4/25/2016 – jail refused access / Phone is unavailable.
•  Call: 4/26/2016 – jail refused access / Call cut short, “Have to go in.”

Buddy's lawyers also claim that when Bundy arrived in Nevada, he "was initially handcuffed for a period of more than 21 hours, repeatedly deprived meals, and was unjustly held in solitary confinement for a significant period."