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Malheur Occupation Trial Could Go To Jury Next Week

<p>A protester carries an upside down American flag outside the federal courthouse in Portland Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016.</p>

Don Ryan

A protester carries an upside down American flag outside the federal courthouse in Portland Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016.

The trial for seven occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge could go to jury deliberations as soon as Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Defendant David Fry and the remaining witnesses on the defense's list are scheduled to take the stand Friday, after which the prosecution will begin its rebuttal case. The government may begin its closing statement as early as Monday, followed by the defense.

Earlier this week, the prosecution said in court it will discuss the 2014 standoff in Bunkerville, Nevada, and Harney County residents' response to the occupation in its rebuttal, among other topics. Prosecutors may also call Harney County Judge Steve Grasty as a witness.

The trial's nearing end comes after more than a month's worth of testimony in which four defendants — soon to be five — took the stand. Ryan Bundy and Neil Wampler are the only two defendants not scheduled to testify.

Copyright 2016 Oregon Public Broadcasting

Conrad Wilson, Bradley W. Parks