Power of the County · Episode 1 of 7 · 24 min
Why Armed Idaho Miners Walked Free: The Patrin Case & a Federal Loophole
In 1976 three armed members of one Idaho mining family held two federal research workers at gunpoint in the Nez Perce National Forest. The episode follows United States v. Patrin from the standoff to court. The deadly-weapon charge was struck for lack of proof the rifles were loaded, and the 1978 Ninth Circuit reversal held tree researchers were not the kind of federal officer the statute protected.
Who's who
- Ray McNichols+2 more episodesFederal district judge who struck the deadly-weapon element
Where it happens
- Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho+4 more episodesSite of the 1976 confrontation
- Moscow, Idaho+6 more episodesSite of the 1977 trial
- Boise, IdahoSeat of the U.S. District Court
Timeline
- October 1972U.S. Attorney sues over an unpermitted road at Dawson Creek and Red River
- August 27, 1976Armed confrontation with two federal research workers
- March 30-31, 1977Jury trial; deadly-weapon charge reduced to simple assault
- April 1, 1977Elsie acquitted; Floyd Sr. and Barbara convicted
- April 20, 1978Ninth Circuit reverses the convictions on jurisdictional grounds
