An Occupation In Eastern Oregon

Court Delays Pete Santilli Detention Hearing Until Friday

By OPB Staff (OPB)
March 7, 2016 9:54 p.m.
Pete Santilli

Pete Santilli

Ohio-based Internet radio host Pete Santilli will have to wait until Friday to find out if he'll remain in federal custody.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Federal Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman delayed a detention hearing for Santilli Monday. He's been in federal custody since Jan. 26 for his role in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Since being arrested, Santilli has also been charged for his role in a 2014 standoff with Bureau of Land Management employees, led by Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Related: 41 Days: An OPB Documentary On The Oregon Occupation

Nevada prosecutors traveled to Oregon for Santilli's hearing Monday, and said they wanted to show more evidence why he should remain in custody.

Santilli's attorney, Tom Coan, successfully argued for his client's pre-trial release last week in Portland. But Santilli's release is dependent upon a similar ruling on the Nevada charges.

Monday was Santilli's fourth time in court for the matter.

“It’s a long a complicated process, but one that he’s willing to go through,” Coan said of Santilli's detention hearings last week.

Coan has argued Santilli is an independent journalist, and did not take part in the Oregon occupation beyond that role. Earlier this month, the ACLU of Oregon made a statement publicly supporting Santilli's right to free speech.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: