ND Farmer on Trial in 2011 Standoff Case

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — A northeastern North Dakota farmer charged with terrorizing law officers two years ago is on trial in Grand Forks.

Rodney Brossart, of rural Lakota, is accused of stealing cattle and threatening deputies who tried to arrest him during a summer-long standoff in 2011. Authorities say Brossart family members refused to allow deputies on their farmstead and didn't show up for court hearings.

The Grand Forks Herald reports prosecutor Cameron Sillers says Brossart refused to cooperate with officers investigating missing cattle and also threatened deputies. Defense attorney Bruce Quick says deputies didn't provide the paperwork to justify an arrest and didn't give him a chance to comply.

Prosecutors earlier dropped charges against Brossart's wife and daughter. His three sons also are charged with terrorizing. Their trials haven't been scheduled.

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