Oregon Standoff Trial Latest: Defendant Seeks to Withdraw Guilty Plea

One of the leaders of the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge has changed his mind about pleading guilty. In court papers filed late Wednesday, Ryan Payne asks the judge to let him withdraw his plea.

Payne, who prosecutors have painted as a close to occupation leader Ammon Bundy, pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to stop federal employees from doing their jobs.

The plea included settling charges against Payne in Nevada where he is one of several indicted in connection with actions at Bunkerville where he joined Ammon and Cliven Bundy in a standoff with agents from the Bureau of Land Management.

Payne's lawyers say that when their client agreed to plead guilty in Oregon, the Nevada was deal still being finalized.

"On the date Mr. Payne signed the Oregon plea agreement, the Nevada offer was only in a draft format," they write. "Notably, the entire 'statement of facts' section of the Nevada plea offer had been left blank.

"Subsequent negotiations have not been able to break through the differences between the parties in Nevada."

Payne's lawyers say that given their inability to reach an agreement with prosecutors in Nevada combined with evidence present the trial of Ammon Bundy and six others that Payne had been unaware of when he entered his plea are the major factors for his change of heart.

He now wishes a trial by jury. Payne's lawyers indicate the prosecution opposes the change of plea.

It's not clear when Judge Anna Brown will rule.

Photo Multnomah County Sheriff's Office