Oregon Standoff Latest: Ammon Bundy Wants Trial Delayed

Lawyers for Ammon Bundy filed papers seeking to delay his trial and argue that he should be released until the trial starts.

Bundy is considered the leader of the 41-day takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year.

He was one of 27 people indicted in connection with the takeover.

GET ALL YOUR LOCAL NEWS FROM PATCH

Last month he switched defense lawyers and Bundy's new lawyers argue that Bundy's defense has been hampered by their access to him being limited.

They argue that the the decision to keep him Bundy behind bars after his January arrest was wrong.

They point to a recent decision by the court to dismiss the count of the indictment that charged defendants with possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.

Bundy's lawyers say that if he's not charged with a crime of violence, he should be allowed out on bail.

"It was error to have detained Defendant from the outset of this case, and Defendant should have been out on release able to review discovery, confer with his lawyers unimpeded, and assist in assembling the resources for his defense," they write.

"Defendant requires additional time to resolve the unfairness presented by the government's actions before he should be forced to stand trial."

They also argue that they need more time to investigate the case and present their client with strategy options.

Bundy's lawyers write that their may be a "need to change his litigation approach ad potentially revisit significant defense options."

Based on this, they say, the trial should be delayed.

The lawyers also indicate that they will file papers on his behalf asking for his release pending trial.

Two of Bundy's co-defendants - Jason Patrick and Jon Ritzenheimer - also filed papers waiving their right to a speedy trial and asking for a delay.

Earlier this week, the man who had described himself as Bundy's personal bodyguard, Brian Cavalier, became the sixth person to plead guilty to charges related to the takeover of the refuge.

He is expected to receive a prison term of between 15 and 21 months when he is sentenced in September.

The next court hearing for Bundy will be July 6 at 9:30 a.m.