PORTLAND — The upcoming trial for Ammon Bundy and others charged in the occupation of an Oregon bird sanctuary will remain in Portland.

Bundy co-defendant Jason Patrick sought to have the September trial moved, citing extensive media coverage he considered prejudicial.

In denying the motion, U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown agreed coverage has been extensive, but said it has been factual in nature and not so overwhelming that a sufficient number of potential jurors could not be impartial.

“Although Patrick contends much of the media coverage was prejudicial and included statements by many of the defendants that amounted to the functional equivalent of a confession, he does not reference any such occurrences,” the judge said in a ruling released during the weekend.

Moreover, Brown said the news coverage with the greatest potential for prejudice occurred during the standoff that began Jan. 2 and lasted nearly six weeks. With the trial scheduled to start in September, the events are not as fresh in the minds of potential jurors.