LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jailed rancher Cliven Bundy refused to acknowledge federal authority and declined to enter a plea in a U.S. court to criminal charges that he that he led an armed standoff against federal agents two years ago.
Amid confusion about whether Bundy has a lawyer, a federal magistrate judge entered a not guilty plea on Thursday on Bundy's behalf and scheduled a detention hearing March 17.
Arguments then will focus on whether the 69-year-old Bundy should remain in custody pending trial on 16 charges including conspiracy, assault and threatening a federal officer, obstruction and firearms offenses.
Convictions could get him life in prison.
Joel Hansen, an attorney who has represented property rights advocates in other cases around Nevada, served as Bundy's attorney.
But Hansen says that's temporary, and Bundy plans to get another trial lawyer.