Editor's Note: Aaron Schmidt and Ammon Bundy were both found guilty of all charges on Thursday evening. You can read more about it here.Ammon Bundy's jury trial lasted into Thursday. However, the case is now nearing its end as the jury was summoned to commence deliberations in the early evening.Aaron Schmidt, a Coeur dAlene resident and Bundy, a Emmett resident were each arrested at the Lincoln Auditorium in the Idaho Capitol on Aug. 25, 2020. Bundy is also facing a misdemeanor charge of resisting or obstructing police officers.Much of Thursday's testimony was devoted to arguments about admissibility and defense witnesses.The prosecution and defense argued that the topic of Bundy's and Schmidts Aug. 24 arrest was one that could be considered. Bundy's testimony about the large police presence the day of Bundy's arrest was a clear indication that the door had been open by the prosecution. Numerous defense witnesses also testified to the presence of police when Bundy was arrested and Schmidt were detained.A large crowd pushed their way in to the House Gallery on Aug. 24, breaking a glass door. Although spectators were not allowed at the August special session due to the coronavirus epidemic, they were permitted to remain after pushing their way in. Prosecutors claimed that troopers increased the police presence on the following day to prevent another unruly act.Judge David Manweiler permitted that testimony. Prosecutors were able to recall two troopers from the Idaho State Police to the witness stand. Sgt. Blake Higley is the Statehouse's head of security. He told the court that there were more people at the Capitol than police on Aug. 24, and that people didn't follow police instructions.Later that day, Rep. Tammy Nichols (R-Middleton) was called to the stand by the defense to testify about her experience using the Lincoln Auditorium. The defense and prosecution debated whether Nichols could be called because Bundys lawyers had already rested. Schmidt, who is representing herself in court, started calling his own witnesses.Continue the storyManweiler allowed Nichols, in a very limited sense of her interpretation of House rules, to testify. According to Nichols, the auditorium is usually open. Self-guided tours are sometimes possible. Republican Reps. Christy Zito, Judy Boyle and Judy Boyle also gave similar testimony Wednesday. They both stated that they knew the Lincoln room was open to the public.Scott Bedke, House Speaker, testified earlier this week that the room was indeed open to the public for official business. Bedke stated that the room is locked and closed when it is not being used and had closed it after the day's business was over.Jury instruction began at 4:20 p.m. Manweiler explained the process and the considerations involved in reaching a verdict in the case. At 4:30 pm, the state opened its closing statements. Kirsten Ingle, Ada County's deputy prosecutor, stated that Bedke had the legal authority to close the room and that Bundy, Schmidt and others were in violation of the law by refusing to leave the Lincoln Auditorium.Bundy didn't respond when she told him to go. Schmidt was nonresponsive when ISP troopers asked him to leave. Ingle stated that ISP troopers were acting legally and following an order from the appropriate Statehouse authority.Schmidt, who is himself representing himself, stated in closing remarks that he was not allowed to leave the room prior to his arrest. Schmidt thanked the jury and asked for their forgiveness during the trial.Bundy's attorney Sam Bishop stated that he would not be convicted if he were to set dangerous precedents. He said that Bundy could be removed by Bedke if he was able to do so for other House control members at the Capitol.Bishop informed the jurors they didn't have to agree to the protests Bundy made, nor his message or views. He asked the jury to support Bundy's right to free speech.Bishop stated that this is the point where we must draw the line. No one can do it for us.Whitney Welsh, Ada County Deputy Attorney, retorted that Bedke has absolute authority to close rooms. This is especially true considering that all business was conducted during a special session.Welsh referred to Bundy's testimony, in which Bundy stated that he did not believe he was breaking any rules. This is not an excuse for committing a crime.(Bundy cannot come in and admit all of these crimes. Then, he will say that he doesn't believe in them. Welsh stated.She stated that the cases came down to the most basic elements. The men who were arrested didn't leave the room after being asked several times. Bundy, she said, continued to break the law by limping and preventing troopers from arresting.Manweiler offered members the choice of continuing the deliberations into the night, or starting over in the morning. At 6:30 p.m., they were still deliberating.
