DOCSLIB.ORG

Ruby Ridge Fallout Over the Waco Landscape

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ruby Ridge Fallout Over the Waco Landscape ★ WEDNESDAY, JULY 19,1995 / PAGE A1 JAMES BOVARD DANTHOMASSON the FBI agents had suspended the Constitution when they fired atsur- Ruby Ridge fallout over the Waco landscape vivalist Randy Weaver, and he merely slapped the wrists ofthose r I Ihe^he demotion ofFBIDeputy __ - baby" has been especially contro-contro < l ) involved inthe nightmare in Idaho. I Director Larry Potts last versial.Thepromptnesswithwhichversial. The promptness with which C Tb most veteran observers it was I Friday for his actionsdur- theFBIsnipergunnedthe FBI snipergunned down allthe A X WWAX iJ just business as usual at the FBI. A ingingandafterand after the theFBI'sFBI's 1992 suspects makes the FBI Hostage . J 1 • Then, In a shocking, incredible confrontation with Randy Weaver J rv•#-*-* r\-r\ Rescue TfeamIbam look more like a S5-S^- CTAAX/Ql*/!C lIlT^ display ofcallous disr^ardfor thou is stark evidence that the Ameri-Ameri II^ ifIIII III|1 vadoran death squad than an Amer-Amer WCU. UtJlXXI^ sands of Americans incensed over canran mihlirpublic is losingInsinir itsit5 tolerancetolprnnrA icantpnn law enforcementpnfniwmpnt linit.unit. A the bureau's actions not only in for federal law enforcement ram At the subsequent trial, the gov Idaho but also at Waco, Tfexas, Mr. pages. Yet, much of the most ernment claimed that Mr. Weaver ^•'^he infamous incident at FYeeh promoted Mr. Potts, the man damning evidenceon this case has the relatively insignificant under and Mr. Harris were shot by Mr. I Ruby Ridge, Idaho, has who was in charge of both opera not yet been made public. Con lying charge." Horiuchi because Mr. Weaver had I claimedyet anothervictim tions. gress begins the first serious hear Yet, even at this point, some gov threatened to shoot at a helicopter A — Lawrence Potts, No. 2 Regrettably, a very green US. ings on Waco today, and since ernment officials recognized that containing FBI officials. Strangely, man at the FBI. Attorney General Janet Reno many of the same FBI officials and this was a penny ante case; "OnJuly Mr. Horiuchi emphatically (and Mr. Potts'distinguishedcareerin signed off on this classic piece of snipers who participated at Waco 9,1991, a deputy US. marshal told incorrectly) denied that Mr. Weaver the bureau officially ended last Fri insensitivity. If there is a better were also at Ruby Ridge, the evi an associate of Weaver's that if he was carrying a gun at the time tliat day when FBIDirector Louis Freeh exampleofMiss Reno^ lack ofcom dence of gross misconduct and surrendered, the charge against Mr. Horiuchishot him. (The report removed him as his top deputy. mon sense, I wouldn't know where coverups at Ruby Ridge is more him for failing to appearat the trial noted, "At trial, Horiuchi was Actually, Mr. Potts' future in law to find it. relevant than ever. could be dismissed" and "that the adamant that he neversaw a gun in enforcement was finished the Even if the promotion of Mr. Potts A Justice Department task force sentence on the weapons offense the hands of Randy Weaver, even moment a sniper under his com had not been the worst kind of completed a S42-page investigation would be minimal because Weaver though Weaver was armed at the mand fired a bulletinto the brain of cronyism (Mr. Potts and Mr. Freeh on the case last year, but the report did not have a criminal record." time he was struck by Horiuchi's Mrs. Randy Weaver as she stood are fast friends and had worked hasnotyetbeenmadepublic. L^l Thereport found that the August first shot.") On the basis that the evi holding her baby in the doorway of closelytogether in at least two m^or Times acquii%d a copy of the report 1992 timing ofthe federal govern dence was insufficient, the federal prosecutions when Mr. Freeh was a andgenerously plac^itontheInter ment's showdown with Mr. Weaver judge threw out the federal charge US. attorney), it was a downright net Fbllowingaresomekey passages was largely a matter of political that Mr. Weaver and Mr. Harris stupidpolitick move in the faceof from the report that illustrate a pat convenience for Henry Hudson, the threatened the helicopter. growing anger in Congress and tern of misconduct and dishonestyby acting chairman of the US. Mar FBI officials, in theirsubsequent among militant groups over what federal agencies far worsethan most shals Service. The report noted, statements to the media in Idaho, they see as increasing highhanded Americans imagined. "The plan to apprehend Weaver stressed that all possible precau ness of federal law ei%)rcement. This case began after Randy wasdelayed for^reemonths pend tions were being taken to protect Anyone with even a few years Weaver was enticed by an under ing the confirmation of Henry Hud the Weaver children. But, after the experience in Washington could cover Bureau of AJcoliol Tbbacco son as the Marshals Service Direc sniper killed Vicki Weaver and have predicted what would happen and Firearms agent to sell him tor. The [[US. marshals] wounded Kevin Harris and Randy next. Congress would find some sawed-off shotguns. The Justice reconnaissance team expressed Weaver, FBI reports noted that way to get into the act over Waco Department report indicates that frustration over the delay because "two friendly shots [had been] and Ruby Ridge, and the result Mr. Weaver was set up to violate some believed the delay caused a taken." The Crisis Center Log at would be at least a grilling of Mr. federal law: "Based on the infor gap in their surveillance intelli FBI headquarters noted that Potts and others involved. And one mation available to us, there is no gence." evening that "two friendly sniper need only look at the history of evidence that Weaver proposed or On Aug. 21,1992, US. Marshals rounds fired into the Weaver house, these kinds of sideshows to predict was interested in selling weapons trespassed onto the Weavers' prop and reported a possible hit." Actu accurately that somewhere it will before the October 1989 meeting erty and shot 13-year-old Sammy ally, oneshot had been fired into the be found that someone covered up with Fadeley [the undercover Weaver in the back,killii^ the boy. house—but the nonchalanceofthe something. agent]. Although Fadeley had seen Kevin Harris, a family friend stay FBIreport makes a mockery of the In fact, it already has happened. Weaver on a number of occasions ing in the cabin, shota US. marshal Bureau's claims ofconcern for the It was learned that one of the Ruby with a variety of weapons, Weaver in self-defense during the gun bat children. Ridge participants in the bureau apparently had never said that he tle. After the marshals panicked The report also condemned Jus had destroyed some documents. wanted to sell guns." (The Idaho and falsely claimed to be "pinned tice Departmentattorneys for pro mm Mr. Freeh was forced to suspend juryconcluded that Mr. Weaver had down" for hours by the Weavers, viding false information to a feder one agent and reopen the investi been entrapped and found him not the FBI Hostage Rwcue Tfeam was al grand jury regarding the killing gation of Ruby Ridgejustbefore the guilty on violating federal firearms <^ed in. of Vicki Weaver: "In regard to the House subcommittee's hearings charges). charge in Overt Act 41 tiiat Randy into this and Waco. At a time when violent crime in The report noted, "We have been Weaver, Kevin Harris, 'and an Mr. FVeeh's initial appearance on big cities is rampant, many people told by observers on the scene unidentified female, probably Vicki the Washington scene hardly could have questioned why the federal that law enforcement person or Sara Weaver" attempted to shoot have beenmore successful. Hedaz government would devote millions nel madestatements that the matter atan FBI helicopter,' The pros Louis Freeh zled Congress during the confir of dollars of resources into going would be handled quickly and that ecution knew full well when Overt mation process and seemedto have after a two-bit violator like Randy the situation would be 'taken down Act 41 was drafted that Vicki the Clinton White House in the Weaver. The report noted that US. hardand fast.'" Frederick Lanceley, Weaver had been killed while hold her Idaho cabin in 1992. palm of his hand. He won budget District Court Judge Harold L. the FBI chief negotiator, heard ing open the door of the cabin for TVagically, Mr. Freeh, widely victories, expanded the bureau's Ryan "said that he thought scarce [FBI's Hostage Rescue Tfeam com the tluw persons who had respond praised two years ago as the almost international reach and quietly judicial resources were being wast mander Richard] Rogers declare at ed to the helicopter, one of whom perfect man for the directorship of tried to broaden its domestic ed on the large number of gun cases a briefing of the snipers the morning was a female.... The prosecution one of the most powerful investiga responsibility at the expense of brought in federal court and, in of the kUling of Vicki Weaver that had abundant evidence that Vicki tory agencies in the world, could otheragbncies. particular, he complained about there would be "no long siege." The Weaver had not run outside. Nam have avoided considerable embar "What Louie wants, Louie gets," undercover 'sting' cases involving report noted, "After attending this ing Vicki Weaver as one of the peo rassment for himself and the a top Treasury official confided firearms." Judge Ryan's views give briefing, Lanceley concluded that a ple who might have responded to bureauhad he not become afflicted when Mr. Freehs troops made an credence to the concerns of the tactical solution would be sought the helicopter could readily be with two maladies—arrogance and unabashed grab for some of the National Rifle Association, which without negotiations." interpreted as an attempt to assert bad judgment.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jones (Stephen) Oklahoma City Bombing Archive, 1798 – 2003 (Bulk 1995 – 1997)
    JONES (STEPHEN) OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING ARCHIVE, 1798 ± 2003 (BULK 1995 ± 1997). See TARO record at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/03493/cah-03493.html (Approximately 620 linear feet) This collection is open for research use. Portions are restricted due to privacy concerns. See Archivist's Note for more details. Use of DAT and Beta tapes by appointment only; please contact repository for more information. This collection is stored remotely. Advance notice required for retrieval. Contact repository for retrieval. Cite as: Stephen Jones Oklahoma City Bombing Archive, 1798 ± 2003 (Bulk 1995 ± 1997), Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin. [AR 98-395; 2003-055; 2005-161] ______________________________________________________________________________ BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Stephen Jones (born 1940) was appointed in May 1995 by the United States District Court in Oklahoma City to serve as the lead defense attorney for Timothy McVeigh in the criminal court case of United States of America v. Timothy James McVeigh and Terry Lynn Nichols. On April 19, 1995, two years to the day after the infamous Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms raid on the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas, a homemade bomb delivered inside of a Ryder rental truck was detonated in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Timothy McVeigh, as well as his accomplice Terry Nichols, were accused of and, in 1997, found guilty of the crime, and McVeigh was executed in 2001. Terry Nichols is still serving his sentence of 161 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole in the ADX Florence super maximum-security prison in Florence, Colorado.
    [Show full text]
  • 1394 White Terrorism and Willful Ignorance
    #1394 White Terrorism and Willful Ignorance JAY TOMLINSON - HOST, BEST OF THE LEFT: [00:00:00] During today's episode, I am going to be telling you about a new podcast I think you should check out. It's called Unf-ing the Republic, but they don't say f-ing. It'll help level up anyone's poliDcal arguing game. So hear me out mid-show, when I tell you more about it. And now, welcome to this episode of the award-winning Best of the LeI Podcast in which we shall learn about our long history of ignoring domesDc right-wing terrorism, from the Oklahoma City bombing through to the predictable acDons of miliDa groups in 2020 and beyond. Clips today are from the PBS News Hour, It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders, Democracy Now!, AJ+, The David Pakman Show, the Washington Post, MSNBC and The Real News. Tracing the roots of the America's biggest domesKc terror aLack - PBS News Hour - Air Date 2-17-20 MAN: [00:00:47] There's heavy damage done. JEFFREY BROWN - HOST, PBS NEWSHOUR: [00:00:51] April 19, 1995. MAN: [00:00:56] About a third of the building has been blown away. JEFFREY BROWN - HOST, PBS NEWSHOUR: [00:00:56] A Ryder rental truck with 5,000 pounds of explosives ripped through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City; 168 people were killed, 19 children among them. WOMAN: [00:01:08] Who has come in here and done this terrible thing? BARAK GOODMAN: [00:01:12] I knew very liale of the story.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to the Lee Hancock Collection
    A Guide to the Lee Hancock Collection, 1975 – 2004, Bulk: 1993-2000 Collection 099 Descriptive Summary Creator: Hancock, Lee Title: Lee Hancock Collection Dates: 1975 – 2004, Bulk: 1993-2000 Abstract: Documents, clippings, videos, and other research materials represent journalist Lee Hancock’s research into the events of the Branch Davidian standoff near Waco in 1993. The materials are arranged into the following five series: Non-Branch Davidian Incidents, Media Coverage, Investigations, House of Representatives Hearings, and Lawsuits. Identification: Collection 099 Extent: 20 boxes (10 linear feet) Language: Materials are written in English Repository: Southwestern Writers Collection, Special Collections, Alkek Library, Texas State University-San Marcos Lee Hancock Collection SWWC Collection 099 Historical Sketch On February 28, 1993 the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) attempted to issue an arrest warrant for Vernon Wayne Howell and a search warrant for the Mount Carmel Center near Waco, Texas on the basis of illegal weapons possession. The Branch Davidians in Mount Carmel and the ATF began a shootout that ended in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians. The occupants of Mount Carmel and government agencies remained in a standoff for fifty-one days until the FBI launched CS gas into the compound in an effort to make the Branch Davidians exit. The CS gas assault on April 19, 1993 ended in a fire in which seventy-six people inside Mount Carmel died, including twenty-three children. After the fire a series of lawsuits and investigations began, including the 1994 criminal trial of the Branch Davidians, the 1995 congressional hearings, and a wrongful-death civil trial in 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Randy Weaver Found Not Guilty; Real Criminals Must Now Be Put on Trial
    Click here for Full Issue of EIR Volume 20, Number 28, July 23, 1993 Randy Weaver found not guilty; real criminals must now be put on trial by Patrick Ruckert On Thursday, July 8, a federal jury in Boise, Idaho rendered Weaver, and other charges, including failure to appear for a verdicts in the celebrated trial of "white separatists " Randy hearing on the illegal weapon� count. The illegal weapons Weaver and Kevin Harris for the alleged murder of Deputy charge was a clear setup, as the hial testimony demonstrated. U.S. Marshal William Degan, in an August 1991 shootout The shotgun Weaver allegedly sold to the informant was one­ provoked by U.S. marshals outside the Weaver cabin on half inch shorter than is legal, and the informant was the one Ruby Ridge in rural northern Idaho (see EIR, June 25, 1993). who instructed Weaver on whete to cut the barrel. The jury's verdict, after a record 20 days of deliberation, The jury acquitted Kevin Harris of all charges; Weaver must be seen as a major victory for justice, and a major defeat was acquitted of all the mur�r and weapons counts, but for the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms convicted on two lesser charges of "failure to appear for trial" (BATF), and the police-state methods they use. The Anti­ and a related, overlapping charge. Defamation League of B 'nai B' rith, never an organization to Although Harris walked (jut of the court a free man, celebrate the victory of truth, sees the acquittal as a major Weaver must still face sentencing on the "failure to appear" setback to its agenda, and has sent howls of protest through­ charges.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origins of the Militia Movement Robert H
    To Shake Their Guns in the Tyrant's Face: Libertarian Political Violence and the Origins of the Militia Movement Robert H. Churchill http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=327258 The University of Michigan Press, 2009. the origins of the militia movement: violence and memory on the suburban-rural frontier Sometimes change is sudden, and so dramatic that we can hardly believe our eyes. On November 9, 1989, I came home from teaching high school and turned on the television. I had followed the events in Eastern Europe closely that fall, but it still took me twenty minutes to fathom the live im- ages of young people dancing atop a concrete wall. I simply could not grasp what I was seeing. The newscasters reporting the fall of the Berlin Wall were themselves speechless. Sometimes change is imperceptible, until one day we are forced to confront a new state of affairs and realize that it has been twenty years in the making. I grew up in a variety of communities, urban, suburban, and rural. In one of those rural communities I once attended a Fourth of July celebration in a parking lot in the middle of town. It was a tailgate party attended by most of the town’s high school students, who stood in a small crowd drinking beer, in wholesale violation of the town’s open container laws and the state’s minimum age regulations. At the entrance to the parking lot, about ‹fty yards from the crowd, the town’s chief of police sat in his cruiser.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Populism? Why Now? an Introduction
    POPULISM 1 (2018) 3–13 brill.com/popu Why Populism? Why Now? An Introduction On behalf of the engaged and insightful Editorial Board, the remarkable staff at Brill, and myself as Managing Editor, welcome to this first issue of Populism, a new journal published by Brill. As Managing Editor, I appreciate this opportunity to discuss the journal’s genesis and its vision—to articulate its goals and its purpose as we grow and develop what we hope will be a central resource on one of the most significant issues influencing political, social and economic life today: populism. Populism is an international academic journal, grounded in the social sci- ences but addressing a phenomenon that is as much cultural as it is economic, ideological, social or psychological. Moreover, populism is a local, national, transnational and global phenomenon as well. We seek to understand and analyze populism wherever it occurs, in whatever context it appears. Populism is grounded on the sense that we—all of us living in contemporary society—are in a noteworthy, and perhaps crucial, moment in human history. Where once it was possible for scholars like Francis Fukuyama to imagine that history—defined as the contest between liberal, capitalist democracy and other forms of social organization—had come to its “end,” or where it was once possible for a political commentator like Thomas Friedman to imagine that the world had grown “flat” as the rising tide of globalization lifted all boats into a prosperous, free future, such imaginaries no longer seem credible. History found a way to matter, after all, whether in the rise of political challenges to liberal democracy like that posed by al-Qaeda and similar organizations, or in the near-collapse of the capitalist economy after the US housing crisis in 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Hostage Negotiations in Lieu of Armed Assault
    Dominican Scholar Senior Theses Student Scholarship 5-2015 Hostage Negotiations in Lieu of Armed Assault William A. Merkle Dominican University of California https://doi.org/10.33015/dominican.edu/2015.HCS.ST.09 Survey: Let us know how this paper benefits you. Recommended Citation Merkle, William A., "Hostage Negotiations in Lieu of Armed Assault" (2015). Senior Theses. 28. https://doi.org/10.33015/dominican.edu/2015.HCS.ST.09 This Senior Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at Dominican Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Senior Theses by an authorized administrator of Dominican Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Merkle 1. Dominican University of California Dominican Scholar 4-2015 HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS in lieu of ARMED ASSAULT William A. Merkle Dominican University of California Merkle 2. Hostage Negotiations in lieu of Armed Assault William A. Merkle Dominican University of California May 2015 Senior Project Chase B Clow, Ph.D. May 4, 2015 Merkle 3. Abstract The failed attempt to rescue hostages during the 1972 Olympics in Munich Germany led to the unnecessary and terrible loss of lives of both hostages and captors. Ever since then, great efforts have been undertaken by law enforcement professionals and researchers to develop clear protocols to help insure the safety of all involved parties. Negotiations, one tactic among several, represents a non-violent alternative to armed assault that can be used to obtain the safe release of hostages and the capture of unharmed hostage takers. Drawing on my forty year career experience in California Corrections, this paper argues for the power of dialogue as an essential tool for the peaceful resolution of a crisis involving people, including hostage situations.
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Terrorism: an Overview
    Domestic Terrorism: An Overview Jerome P. Bjelopera Specialist in Organized Crime and Terrorism August 21, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44921 Domestic Terrorism: An Overview Summary The emphasis of counterterrorism policy in the United States since Al Qaeda’s attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11) has been on jihadist terrorism. However, in the last decade, domestic terrorists—people who commit crimes within the homeland and draw inspiration from U.S.-based extremist ideologies and movements—have killed American citizens and damaged property across the country. Not all of these criminals have been prosecuted under federal terrorism statutes, which does not imply that domestic terrorists are taken any less seriously than other terrorists. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) do not officially designate domestic terrorist organizations, but they have openly delineated domestic terrorist “threats.” These include individuals who commit crimes in the name of ideologies supporting animal rights, environmental rights, anarchism, white supremacy, anti-government ideals, black separatism, and beliefs about abortion. The boundary between constitutionally protected legitimate protest and domestic terrorist activity has received public attention. This boundary is highlighted by a number of criminal cases involving supporters of animal rights—one area in which specific legislation related to domestic terrorism has been crafted. The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (P.L. 109-374) expands the federal government’s legal authority to combat animal rights extremists who engage in criminal activity. Signed into law in November 2006, it amended the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-346).
    [Show full text]
  • A Legacy of the US Far-Right's Leaderless Resistance in The
    University at Albany, State University of New York Scholars Archive History Honors Program History 5-2021 The Terrifying Convergence: A Legacy of the U.S Far-Right’s Leaderless Resistance in the Twentieth Century Ryan Szpicek University at Albany, State University of New York, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/history_honors Part of the History Commons, and the Social Justice Commons Recommended Citation Szpicek, Ryan, "The Terrifying Convergence: A Legacy of the U.S Far-Right’s Leaderless Resistance in the Twentieth Century" (2021). History Honors Program. 25. https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/history_honors/25 This Undergraduate Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the History at Scholars Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in History Honors Program by an authorized administrator of Scholars Archive. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Terrifying Convergence: A Legacy of the U.S Far-Right’s Leaderless Resistance in the Twentieth Century An honors thesis presented to the Department of History, University at Albany, State University of New York in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with Honors in History Ryan Szpicek Research Mentor: Richard Fogarty, Ph.D. Research Advisor: Christopher Pastore, Ph.D. May 2021 Abstract A former Klansman and Aryan Nations ambassador named Louis Beam argued that right- wing activists would need to go to war with the U.S. federal government to preserve their culture. He updated an organizational theory known as “leaderless resistance” to prepare the right-wing militants for war. His version of leaderless resistance called for a decentralized communication network that allowed right-wing activists to exchange knowledge about engaging in independent violence.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of Ruby Ridge Task Force
    517 DATE EVENT May 27, 1992 Undercover plan developed by Marshals Service ] Undercover operation contemplates Marshal Service surreptitiously buying a plot of land north of the Weaver property and that two deputy marshals, posing as husband and wife, would visit and develop the property, and that eventually an opportunity would arise to arrest Weaver out of the presence of other family members. Plan put on hold pending Hudson's confirmation as Director by U.S. Senate. Early August, Hudson gives verbal approval to the undercover 1992 plan after being confirmed as Marshals Service Director. August 17, 1992 Deputy Marshals Degan, Cooper, Roderick, Norris, Thomas and Hunt arrive in Northern Idaho to update intelligence for undercover plan. ][ ] Friday, [ ] August 21, 1992 At 4:30 a.m., Marshals Service team arrives [ ]park their vehicle ana move to surveillance positions on Ruby Ridge. The team splits into two three-man teams at the "Y." The observation post ("OP") team (Hunt, Norris and Thomas) goes to site above the Weaver compound while the reconnaissance ("Recon") team (Roderick, Cooper and Degan) proceeds up the trail from "Y" toward the Weaver compound. 518 DATE EVENT Friday, ]the Recon team joins the OP team August 21, 1992 at the observation post above the Weaver compound[ ] The Recon team proceeds to area 200-250 yards from the Weaver cabin where Roderick tosses rocks in the direction of the Weaver compound. The Recon team moves to garden/spring house area below the Weaver cabin. At 10:00 a.m., while Recon team gets ready to leave garden/spring house area,[ ] at the observation post, radios that a vehicle is approaching and that the Weavers are responding.
    [Show full text]
  • From Ruby Ridge to Oklahoma City: the Radicalization of Timothy Mcveigh Allison Reese University of South Carolina - Columbia, [email protected]
    University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Senior Theses Honors College Fall 2018 From Ruby Ridge to Oklahoma City: The Radicalization of Timothy McVeigh Allison Reese University of South Carolina - Columbia, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses Part of the Criminology Commons, and the Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons Recommended Citation Reese, Allison, "From Ruby Ridge to Oklahoma City: The Radicalization of Timothy McVeigh" (2018). Senior Theses. 259. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/259 This Thesis is brought to you by the Honors College at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Senior Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FROM RUBY RIDGE TO OKLAHOMA CITY: THE RADICALIZATION OF TIMOTHY MCVEIGH By Allison Reese Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Graduation with Honors from the South Carolina Honors College December 2018 Approved: Mathieu Deflem, Professor Director of Thesis Stephen Chicoine, Doctoral Candidate Second Reader Steve Lynn, Dean For South Carolina Honors College Reese 1 ABSTRACT The Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995 was a watershed moment in American history and indelibly changed the way Americans viewed terrorism and public safety. While the effects of the bombing are well-documented, not as much attention has been paid to the motivations of the bomber, Timothy McVeigh. He was spurred to action by the events of the Waco siege, where the FBI engaged in a 51-day standoff with the Branch Davidians, a small religious group suspected of owning illegal weapons.
    [Show full text]
  • Timothy Mcveigh a M M O N I U M N I T R a T E
    OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING FORENSICS Timothy McVeigh McVeigh, an anti- government sympathizer and Gulf War veteran, sought revenge against the federal government for their handling of the Waco Siege, which ended in the deaths of 76, as well as for the Ruby Ridge incident in 1992 which ended in the deaths of 2 anti-government The Oklahoma City 86 cars, and shattered glass survivalist. McVeigh hoped Bombing was a domestic in 258 nearby buildings, to inspire a revolt against terrorist bomb attack on causing at least an what he considered to be the Alfred P. Murrah estimated $652 million a tyrannical federal Federal Building in worth of damage. Within government. downtown Oklahoma City 90 minutes of the on April 19, 1995. It explosion, Timothy remained the most McVeigh was stopped by destructive act of terrorism an Oklahoma State committed in the United Trooper for driving States until the September without a license plate and 11 attacks of 2001. The arrested for unlawfully bombing killed 168 people carrying a weapon. While and injured more than 680 McVeigh was still in jail, others. The blast destroyed forensic evidence quickly or damaged 324 buildings linked he and a friend, within a 16-block radius, Terry Nichols to the destroyed or burned attack. A m m o n i u m N i t r a t e Timothy McVeigh Oklahoma City McVeigh claimed to have been a target of maintained relatively poor grades until bullying at school, and took refuge in a his 1986 graduation. McVeigh’s fantasy world where he imagined fascination with firearms began when he retaliating against the bullies.
    [Show full text]