The upcoming trial for Ammon Bundy and others charged in the occupation of an Oregon bird sanctuary will remain in Portland.
Bundy co-defendant Jason Patrick sought to have the September trial moved, citing extensive media coverage he considered prejudicial.
In denying the motion, U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown agreed coverage has been extensive, but said it has been factual in nature and not so overwhelming that a sufficient number of potential jurors could not be impartial.
Patrick is among 26 defendants indicted on a charge of conspiring to impede Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Seven men have already pleaded guilty.
The occupiers took over the refuge after a rally in which they demanded the release of two ranchers imprisoned for setting fires. They also wanted the federal government to relinquish control of public lands.
