The armed occupation of Oregon's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge lasted for 41 days. The conspiracy trial for the first defendants in the case — which begins Wednesday, with the start of jury selection — could drag on far longer.
Back in May, U.S. District Judge Anna Brown raised the question of how the court should handle breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas, if necessary.
"Heaven forbid we're still doing this then," Brown said.
You might remember that the Malheur occupation began in January, born of a protest against the arson convictions of two ranchers and fueled by opposition to federal land ownership and management.
More than two dozen people were indicted on conspiracy charges in connection with the case. Many have pleaded guilty, while several others are set to go on trial in February. Charges against one man — Peter Santilli, who broadcast live from the occupation — were dropped on Tuesday.