In a motion hearing stemming from his August 26 arrest at the Idaho capitol, Ammon Bundy argued in court on Tuesday that he wants an in-person trial by jury without people wearing face masks.
KTVB.com reports Ada County Magistrate Judge David Manweiler heard Bundy’s motion and said he would come to a decision by Bundy’s next hearing on Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. MT.
In court, Bundy claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t have enough scientific evidence to meet the “burden of proof” for court closures and health guidelines like face masks.
As of Monday, 869 Idahoans have died from the coronavirus.
“I have a right to due process, I have a right to see your face, judge, to see the prosecutor’s face,” Bundy said. “If we were to just abandon due process, justice because of health concerns, safety, then really we wouldn’t have it at all.”
Bundy also said he believes he did nothing wrong or illegal and wasn’t disruptive at the statehouse, later saying he’s risking “life or limb” over the two misdemeanor charges that he faces.
“These are my rights, I am the accused. And if you know I am the one in jeopardy. I am the one that, you know, is risking life or limb because of this, you know this, these charges against me. This action against me. And so, therefore, you know, it is my rights that are need to be upheld by the court,” Bundy said.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
On August 26, Bundy was arrested for the second time within 24 hours at the Idaho State Capitol Building after refusing to leave the Senate gallery during the legislature’s special session. The 41-year-old was arrested on misdemeanor charges of trespassing and resisting and obstructing officers.
Following his two arrests at the statehouse, Bundy was issued a one-year no-trespassing notice to the capitol. The issue was given after Gov. Brad Little, Speaker of the House Scott Bedke, and Senate Pro Tem Brent Hill consulted the Idaho Department of Administration.
This story was originally published on KTVB.com.
