Oregon Militia, Subject of Morgan Spurlock Documentary, Acquitted After Standoff
Morgan Spurlock may have the perfect surprise ending to his upcoming documentary about the group of armed militants who took over an Oregon federal building and wildlife refuge earlier this year. On Thursday, all seven anti-government militia members were acquitted of conspiracy and weapons charges, the New York Post reports. The eighth member of their group, LaVoy Finicum, was killed by police during the standoff.
The militia leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy are the sons of Cliven Bundy, who led a similar armed standoff with federal authorities at his Nevada ranch in 2014. After the verdict was announced Thursday, court officers had to tase and subdue Ammon Bundy lawyer Marcus Mumford, who began screaming that his client should be released immediately. Ammon is still being held, however, for charges related to the 2014 standoff.
Spurlock’s upcoming film will use footage captured by director David Byars, who was given full access to the militia throughout the 40-day ordeal.
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In September, A.V. Club writer Alex McCown-Levy wrote that Spurlock’s unnamed documentary project sounds very promising. “Much like ‘Going Clear,’ ‘Jesus Camp,’ and other docs that delve into the humanity behind seemingly insane movements, it will likely be really compelling, as absurd people often are,” he wrote.
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