Second Oregon ranching standoff defendant wants to withdraw plea

PORTLAND – A second defendant in the Oregon ranching standoff case has asked to withdraw his guilty plea.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Eric Lee Flores says “newly discovered evidence” presented at the recent trial of seven people who took over a federal wildlife refuge in a 41-day armed standoff with authorities is grounds for the plea withdrawal.

Flores’ lawyer, Ernest Warren Jr., says testimony from FBI informants revealed that they were encouraging others to violate the law and escalate confrontations with officers. Prosecutors said during the trial that 15 FBI informants were involved in the investigation of the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, including nine who were at the refuge during the takeover.

Flores was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8.