Ammon Bundy speaks during an interview at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. (AP)
Jury selection has started for the trial of Ammon Bundy and six others charged with conspiracy after they occupied a national wildlife refuge in Oregon.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys will spend the next three days choosing 12 jurors and eight alternates from a pool of more than 250 Oregonians.
The first 30 prospective jurors were interviewed Wednesday. The process will be repeated Thursday and Friday, with 60 people to be questioned each day.
U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown has tentatively set opening statements for Tuesday. Closing arguments might not be made until November.
The armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge started Jan. 2 and lasted nearly six weeks. The occupiers protested federal control of Western lands and the imprisonment of two ranchers.
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