Speaking in a soft yet determined voice, Kiri Jewell, now 14, recalled that she was about 7 when Koresh first notified her on a Southern California recreational outing that she would become one of his wives.
Jewell said that she was taught how to place a gun inside her mouth to commit suicide. Her testimony before a silent, jam-packed committee room on Capitol Hill instantly transformed a boisterous, rude proceeding filled with partisan bickering. Charles E. Schumer D-N. Among the criticisms raised during testimony was a listing in the affidavit of child abuse allegations--a crime outside the jurisdiction of the ATF. Steven H.
Schiff R-N. John Shadegg R-Ariz. The hearing kicked off with a government prosecutor asserting that Koresh had scripted an apocalyptic theology that directly led to the deaths of sect members and government agents. The start of the hearings that will examine the conduct of the ATF, FBI and Justice Department during the day siege erupted in bitter partisan bickering when Democrats claimed they had evidence that the NRA had paid explosive experts conducting research for the joint committee and that NRA lawyers were selected to testify without revealing their affiliation with the pro-gun lobby.
In addition, a potential witness earlier had disclosed that she was interviewed by an NRA employee who identified herself as a committee staff member. John Conyers Jr. This hearing is an attempt to repeal the assault weapons ban by tearing down the agencies that enforce that ban. More than two years after the Davidian complex burned to the ground, much remains in doubt about the events leading up to the siege.
Army when it claimed that the Davidian complex contained a drug lab so that it could obtain the use of military equipment and personnel? Janet Reno in seeking her approval to launch a tear gas assault on the residence? About 90 witnesses are scheduled to testify. Among the 18 witnesses who appeared before the joint committee Wednesday were ATF agents who planned and executed the failed raid on the Branch Davidian compound and two former Davidians.
