Oregon Standoff Trial: Judge Agrees to Dismiss Juror, Deliberations Will Resume Thursday

A shakeup on the jury deliberating the fate of seven people charged in connection with the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. A juror has been dismissed and the jury sent home for the day with deliberations scheduled to resume Thursday morning.

The action followed a note from Juror 4 accusing Juror 11 of bias.

"Can a juror, a former employee of the Bureau of Land Management, who opens their remarks in deliberations by stating 'I am very biased …' be considered an impartial judge in this case?" the note read.

That note on Tuesday led to discussions among prosecutors, defense lawyers, and the judge about what do. Defense lawyers argued that the juror should be dismissed while prosecutors agued the jury should keep deliberating.

On Wednesday morning, lawyers for lead defendant Ammon Bundy filed a motion asking that the juror either be dismissed or a mistrial be declared.

"These issues aren't any easier to dispense of this morning than they were yesterday," Judge Anna Brown said.

The judge expressed concerns that no matter what actions were taken, there was a risk of mistrial. Asking the jurors if they had been influenced by the perceived bias of Juror 11 could adversely the work of the whole jury, she said.

Soon after, prosecutors agreed to the dismissal of the juror.

Judge Brown thanked the dismissed juror for his service and said his dismissal was necessary to prevent jeopardizing the entire trial.

Juror 11 will be replaced by Juror 18 and deliberations will resume on Thursday.

Photo Multnomah County Sheriff's Office