FILE - In this April 18, 2014, file photo, flanked by armed supporters, rancher Cliven Bundy speaks at a protest camp near Bunkerville, Nev. A U.S. ju...
FILE - In this April 18, 2014, file photo, flanked by armed supporters, rancher Cliven Bundy speaks at a protest camp near Bunkerville, Nev. A U.S. judge has set a Jan. 8, 2018, date to decide whether charges should be dismissed outright in the prosecution of Cliven Bundy, sons Ryan and Ammon Bundy, and Montana militia leader Ryan Payne. They're charged with organizing and leading an armed uprising against federal agents to stop a roundup of Bundy cattle near the Nevada town of Bunkerville in April 2014. (John Locker /Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)
From left, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Payne, Jeanette Finicum, widow of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, Ryan Bundy, Angela Bundy, wife of Ryan Bundy and Jamie Bundy, d...
From left, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Payne, Jeanette Finicum, widow of Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, Ryan Bundy, Angela Bundy, wife of Ryan Bundy and Jamie Bundy, daughter of Ryan Bundy, walk out of a federal courthouse Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, in Las Vegas. Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro declared a mistrial Wednesday in the case against Cliven Bundy, his sons Ryan and Ammon Bundy and self-styled Montana militia leader Ryan Payne. (AP Photo/John Locher)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A mistrial in the federal prosecution of a family of ranchers who led an armed standoff against government agents has prompted Attorney General Jeff Sessions to launch an investigation into the case.
It's also renewing calls from defense lawyers for a broad review of U.S. attorneys in Las Vegas. Big cases have collapsed in the last 15 years over federal prosecutors' failure to share evidence with defendants.
A Justice Department spokesman declined Friday to go beyond Thursday's announcement. It said Sessions "takes this issue very seriously and has personally directed" a review of the case against Cliven Bundy and others.
Bundy backers say they've asked for months for Sessions to get involved.
A judge declared a mistrial this week in the case, saying prosecutors willfully failed to share evidence that could've helped defense attorneys.
