FBI Agent Describes Ramming in Waco By SHERRI CHUNN Associated Press Writer WACO, Texas (AP)--A military tank that rammed the Branch Davidian compound on the final day of the 1993 siege was attempting to open a pathway so another tank could carry tear gas deep into the building, a federal agent testified Tuesday. FBI agent Gary Harris said he drove one of two modified tanks, called combat engineer vehicles, that were to be used to carry bottles of tear gas into the compound on the final day of the sect's 51-day standoff with government agents. Harris said his vehicle lost a track and was unable to complete its mission, so he was told to use a third, unmodified tank to make a hole or pathway that the second combat engineer vehicle could use to reach inner areas of the compound. The modified tanks had a bottle attached to a boom to spray gas. As jurors watched infrared images of Harris driving the tank into the building, he said he took great care to safely clear a passageway through the gymnasium. ``We were trying to make the best decision we could at the time. We didn't want to recklessly drive through the building,'' he said. The government called Harris in its defense against a $675 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by sect survivors and family members who claim the government shares the blame for the deaths of some 80 sect members on the final day of the siege. The plaintiffs say that by punching holes in the walls, the tank operated allowed wind in to feed the flames. And they argue the tanks could have knocked over lanterns used to illuminate the compound after the government cut off electricity. Government attorneys say suicidal Davidians--not federal agents _ caused the fires. On Monday, jurors listened to recordings from government undercover microphones inside the compound. On the final day of the siege, as the tanks were heard rumbling in the background, a male voice said: ``Let's keep that fire going.'' Unidentified Davidians also were heard asking ``start the fire?'' and ``should we light the fire?'' On the day before the siege, an unidentified male said: ``you always wanted to be a charcoal briquette ... There's nothing like a good fire to bring us to the Earth.'' The jury is acting as an advisory panel to U.S. District Judge Walter Smith, who will deliver the verdict. The recordings were made with tiny eavesdropping devices hidden among supplies that were sent to the compound by the government. The plaintiffs had argued unsuccessfully to have them excluded from the trial, saying they amount to hearsay because of their anonymous nature. But Smith said, ``I don't think it matters who was talking. These are adult Branch Davidians who were talking.'' The 51-day standoff began Feb. 28, 1993, when agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms unsuccessfully tried to search the complex and arrest sect leader David Koresh on illegal weapons charges. A gun fight erupted; four agents and six Davidians were killed. AP-NY-07-11-00 1324EDT http://www.accesswaco.com/shared-cgi/stories/show.cgi?id=aponline-menus-data /National.AP.V0861.AP-Waco-Trial.story&menu=National.html Bard I believe about eighty, including children, were killed. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
