Date: 27 Feb 94 17:23:01 EST From: William Winter <73163.3063@CompuServe.COM> Subject: LP Release: Waco Decision To: 3-*PR Libernet NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY 1528 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington DC 20003 For immediate release: February 27, 1994 For additional information: Bill Winter, Director of Communications (202) 543-1988 LIBERTARIAN PARTY: WACO JURY MADE "RIGHT DECISION" The Libertarian Party said the jury "reached the right decision" in the acquittal of 11 Branch Davidians on murder and conspiracy charges. Libertarians are now demanding an investigation of the government agencies that launched the bungled raid in Waco, Texas a year ago, leaving more than 80 people dead. "This verdict makes it less likely that Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms or FBI agents will engage in unprovoked, lethal raids in the future," said Steve Dasbach, chairman of America's third largest party. "The jury reached the right decision," he said. "They realized that the BATF and the FBI acted in a criminally irresponsible fashion. They realized that David Koresh and his followers may have had eccentric religious beliefs - but, in America, having eccentric religious beliefs should not be punishable by death." Dasbach said he was disappointed by the conviction of five defendants of voluntary manslaughter. "We mourn the loss of life on both sides," he said. "But no one would have died if not for the misguided paramilitary attack by the BATF." Now, said Dasbach, the federal government should appoint an independent council to investigate Attorney General Janet Reno, the BATF, and the FBI. "There is irrefutable evidence of official misconduct, excessive force, and possibly even homicide on their part," said Dasbach. "The conduct of the BATF and FBI were reprehensible. They ignored opportunities to peacefully arrest Koresh; ignored reports that their 'surprise' raid wasn't a surprise; bombarded the compound during the siege with the sounds of rabbits being slaughtered; lied about the reasons for the final, deadly attack; and assaulted women and children with the same heavy tanks used in Desert Storm. This is not the kind of law enforcement we want in America," he said. Dasbach cited the words of Koresh's attorney Dick DeGuerin, who said an "arrogant" BATF launched the raid because "it had looked to them like a dream situation - a bunch of religious nuts their SWAT team could practice on. Who'd complain? Who'd care?" "The jury cared. Libertarians care. Americans care," said Dasbach. "Now we must make sure that tragedies like this never happens again." # # #