4 men being tried in second Oregon standoff trial

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The federal prosecutors who failed to convict Ammon Bundy returned to court Tuesday to try four lesser- known men who followed Bundy's call to take a hard stand against the government and occupy a national wildlife refuge in Oregon.

Like the defendants in the first trial, the primary charge facing the men is conspiracy to impede Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at the refuge through the use of force, threats or intimidation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Barrow spent a good portion of his opening statement telling jurors a conspiracy does not have to include people gathering around a conference table and drafting a written agreement.

Barrow acknowledged there was no written agreement but said circumstantial evidence will show there was a "meeting of the minds" to prevent federal employees from going to work.

The four defendants are Duane Ehmer of Irrigon, Oregon; Jason Patrick of Bonaire, Georgia; Darryl Thorn of Marysville, Washington; and Jake Ryan of Plains, Montana.

The men, all free on their own recognizance, waived their right to a speedy trial last fall, preferring to have more time to prepare.

Three of them also are charged with possessing a firearm in a federal facility.

Two are charged with depredation of government property.