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Summary and Comment: The autopsy report states:
- The identity of the remains was without question.
- Single bullet entered upper chest from the right causing multiple fatal injuries:
- tore right lung
- tore tracheal carina (main windpipe)
- tore thoracic aorta (main artery from the heart)
- tore main pulmonary artery (artery to the lung)
- fractured three vertebra with spinal column damage and hemorrhage
- caused massive hemorrhage in the chest cavity.
- Injuries 2 and 3 above were named the immediate cause of death.
- Fully jacketed .223 caliber bullet recovered.
- Gaping "very large" wound in the lower lip tested positive for lead and barium; the autopsists do not speculate on the manner of that injury or a source of the heavy metals (pg. 4).
The wound is not consistent with the marksmanship of Bible students shooting madly in the heat of combat. Instead, the wound appears to be an expertly placed bullet aimed to pass through the vital tissues of the chest, causing instant and certain fatality — as few but a professional sniper could do. The bullet did extensive fatal damage that could not be mitigated in the world's best trauma unit, even if it were already on the scene.
Jacketed bullets are required by the Vienna Conventions on war and are not generally used by sportsmen. That caliber in particular (.223) is popular with military organizations of various nationalities, including NATO.
The autopsists describe a tracheostomy wound on pg. 2 and note it in the diagram on pg. 7 of the Autopsy Report. A field tracheostomy is an incision in the throat to open the windpipe directly to the air. It is a risky procedure performed by a trained technician to enable the patient to breathe when the upper airways are blocked and only a tracheostomy can save the patient's life. But McKeehan has suffered a chest wound, not an upper airways blockage; what trained individual would consider a tracheostomy in his case?
Note that the states, "Weapon Gun; Unknown type" without citing the caliber identified in the autopsy. Further, it states, "Offender: Committed suicide" without identifying the offender or noting that surviving Davidians were tried and convicted for the deaths of the ATF agents.
That report includes the original August 4, 1993 DoJ Indictment as Appendix F.
Summary and Comment:
- "On February 28, 1993, in the Western District of Texas, Special Agent Todd W. McKeehan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was shot and killed by the conspirators while he was attempting to execute search and arrest warrants."
- Evidence of murder by a skilled sniper (not a Davidian under fire) is discussed in the chapter Who Struck John?
That report tells the official narrative of McKeehan's death on pages 96-98.
Summary and Comment:
- "As the Dallas and Houston teams attempted to get to the front of the Compound, the New Orleans team, which had been concealed in the second trailer, approached the east side of the Compound. As they left the trailer, the agents heard gunfire. At first, the agents thought it came from the dog teams. During training the agents had been told that they might hear the dog teams firing at the dogs if they were not able to subdue them with fire extinguishers. However, they quickly realized that the gunfire was coming from the Compound. While one agent provided cover from the ground, seven others approached the wall and climbed to the roof. Conway LeBleu, Todd McKeehan, Kenny King, and David Millen were to enter Koresh's bedroom on the west pitch of the roof, while Bill Buford, Keith Constantino and Glen Jordan were to enter the window on the east pitch of the roof. That window led to the room that ATF intelligence indicated contained the weapons. But soon after the agents reached the roof, they came under heavy gunfire. Special Agent Millen was able to retreat back to the east pitch of the roof where he stood guard outside the armory. Special Agent LeBleu and Special Agent McKeehan were killed."
- Evidence of murder by a skilled sniper (not a Davidian under fire) is discussed in the chapter Who Struck John?
The sequence concerning ATF agent deaths begins at about 9:53.
Bone chart and
medical glossary available on line.
Anomalies in the Forensic Process may also be
helpful.