Waco Hearings - DAY 6
Waco Hearings - DAY 6
WACO HEARINGS: 2:00 - 3:03PM - Master Number 10968 - INTRODUCTION: The following footage of the Waco Hearings consists of questioning of the thirteenth group of panelists. They are: Peter Smerick; former FBI Special Agent, Jim Cavanaugn; ATF Special Agent who was present at Waco on February 28th and who initially began negotiations with the Davidians, Byron Sage; Supervisor Special Resident Agent In Charge at the Austin office and lead negotiator during the 51-day standoff, Gary Nesner; Supervisor Special Agent at the FBI Academy at Quantico Army Base and Negotiations Supervisor at Waco, Jeffery Jamar; FBI Special Agent in Charge at the San Antonio office and overall FBI Commander at Waco and Mr. Ronald McCarthy; former officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. Questions, and or statements are presented to the panelists from Representatives: Taylor, Shadegg, Condit, Lofgren and Bryant. 14:00:02 Old footage from Master Number 10967 shows Mr. Smerick answering a question presented by Congressman Taylor. It concerns the possibility Koresh may have intended to surrender. 14:01:44 Fresh footage shows the panelists responding to Congressman Taylor's question of whether or not the killing of the four ATF Agents was justified. All the panelists replies no in their own ways. 14:05:01 Congressman Shadegg begins his time by asking Agent Sage about a report he authored. It details Attorney General Janet Reno's position on the use of gas, the claim no were Davidians released as the result of the negotiations and how Koresh was dishonest about the writing of the Seven Seals. He replies that not all the statements are true. Continuing on, he details how Koresh only let certain children go who were not of his lineage or those followers who served him no purpose. Keeping with Agent Sage, Rep. Shadegg next asks if he told Mr. Hubble about the Dagaret and Zimmermann surrender plan. He replies that he reported to Mr. Hubble that negotiations were at an impasse, but at no time concluded that the establishment peace was infeasible. Agent Sage is then asked if he considered the lawyers' surrender plan a breakthrough. He replies that it was not original, and is then asked if the Davidians were warned about the second raid. Agent Sage replies by first stating that no additional hostages were released after March 2nd and that those children who remained were Koresh's biological offspring. Continuing on, he assets that two core questions had been asked by negotiators to all the followers that they spoke with. The first was, "Are you there voluntarily." And the second, "Can you make arrangements to come out." In each instance, Agent Sage states, followers stated they were remaining in the compound by their own free will. He then tells how he made announcements over the PA system warning the Davidians about the tear gas. Agent Jamar interjects to add that the negotiators did everything possible to resolve the situation, but affirms that it was ultimately Koresh who sealed the fate of his followers. 14:20:39 Congressman Condit begins his time by asking if consideration was given to the possibility that the Davidians would turn to mass suicide and fire as a means of ending the siege, or rather, fulfilling Koresh's prophecy. Agent Sage states that the Davidians leaders were flatly asked if they intend to commit suicide, and that they're primary response was no. Agent Jamar interjects to detail the FBI's fire plan. Continuing on, Agent Jamar tells how when fire did break out on April 29th, he did not allow firefighters access to the compound for fear the Davidians would open fire on them. Interjecting, Mr. McCarthy states that it was difficult to know which Davidian prophecy was going to materialize. 14:26:44 Congresswoman Lofgren begins her time by describing the 1990 incident where Koresh was involved in transporting an under aged girl across state lines from California to Texas for the purposes of taking her as his wife. She then asks why the FBI never involved itself with the case, and why the agency chose to wait until things escalated to the level they did in 1993. Agent Jamar replies that the incident was never reported to the FBI, and that it is an example of a child "fallen through the cracks." 14:30:52 Congressman Bryant begins his time by asking Mr. Smerick about Ron Douglas's recommendations for his fifth report. He replies that Mr. Douglas was his boss at the time, and had reported to him that FBI leadership was starting to believe that negotiations were beginning to "tie their hands." Continuing on, Mr. Smerick asserts that Mr. Douglas noted Director Sessions was personally unhappy with the negotiations. Turing then to Agent Jamar, Congressman Bryant asks who made the decision to use CS-Gas. He replies that the possibility of gas being used had always been part of the operation's core plan. Continuing on, he asserts that he initially suggested its' use and that approval eventually came from Washington. Rep. Bryant then why April 19th was the date chosen for the second raid. Agent Jamar answers that at the time he had concerns over the possibility of a breakout and how the situation was growing increasingly unsafe. He then tells how April 19th had good weather compared to many of the days prior. Turning to Agent Sage, Rep. Bryant asks if he gave any warning to the Davidians immediately prior to the introduction of the gas. He states that repeated warnings were given throughout the morning, and then asserts that all the Davidians had to do to prevent the attack was to give a sign that they intended to surrender. 14:38:17 Chairman McCollum recesses the Sub-Committee Chamber due to a series of votes. 14:38:32 The Sub-Committee Chamber is shown in recess. 15:02:17 TIME OUT.