A year ago, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents stormed the Branch Davidians’ compound in Waco, Texas. Four ATF agents and six cult members died in the ensuing shootout. Then, 51 days later, FBI agents behind armored vehicles assaulted the compound anew. Flames consumed the wooden redoubt within 10 minutes. Some 82 people, including children, died in the fire, by suicide, or-like cult leader David Koresh-shot point-blank by fellow believers.
On Saturday a federal court jury in San Antonio wrote finis to this American tragedy. After a seven-week trial, the jury acquitted all 11 Davidians of the two most serious charges-conspiring to murder, and aiding and abetting the murder of, federal officers. Five Davidians were convicted of aiding and abetting voluntary manslaughter in the ATF agents’ deaths. Two others were convicted of weapons charges.
And so this grisly saga ends as it began: in disputation, unclarity, and with both sides’ judgments and actions cast still deeper into doubt. The verdicts were, by any measure, a signal defeat for federal prosecutors. . . . The jury had affirmed only (Atty. Gen. Janet Reno’s) terse declaration that “the shooting of law enforcement officers doing their duty can never be tolerated.” Voluntary manslaughter carries a 10-year term.
But the jury clearly did not believe the government’s pivotal theme: that the Davidians conspired willfully to murder the ATF agents. Rather, jurors were swayed more by the defendants’ arguments that they justifiably were defending themselves. . . .
“Fatal Misjudgment” could well be the title of this whole saga of fatalistic cultism and federal agents’ impatience. . . .
