|
03/16/93
Officials use secrecy as siege tactic
By Lee Hancock / The Dallas Morning News
WACO-As the standoff outside the Branch Davidian compound drags on, federal prosecutors have become increasingly secretive.
They have rescheduled hearings, sometimes even holding them inside the McLennan County Jail instead of in the courthouse.
On Monday, a clerk for U.S. Magistrate Dennis Green said she could not release case numbers-used by the court to identify the case- for actions pending against some of the four cult members who have surrendered during the siege.
The clerk, who would not give her name, also refused to say when a hearing originally set Tuesday morning for Kathryn Schroeder, a cult member who left the compound Friday, had been rescheduled. A secretary for the magistrate referred questions to the U.S. attorney's office. A secretary for U.S. Attorney Ron Ederer said he was out of town and unavailable for questions.
However, Mrs. Schroeder's attorney, Scott Peterson of Waco, said the hearing was rescheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m. He said he will oppose any government motion to close the hearing.
A FBI spokesman said Sunday that officials are keeping legal documents and proceedings secret as part of their negotiation strategy.
Federal officials say they believe that publicity is a key goal of sect leader David Koresh, so they are trying to limit and control news coverage and the cult's public image until he surrenders.
Asked to explain the increasing secrecy, FBI Agent Bob Ricks said Sunday: "We are still trying to contain the situation. We don't want unnecessary publicity. . . . And we are not going to give people a public forum to go ahead and hold press conferences when they come out of the compound.'
Also on Monday, U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith Jr. denied attorneys' access to Mr. Koresh and his chief lieutenant, Steve Schneider, saying the cult members will not have any legal rights while they remain holed up in a heavily armed compound.
The ruling came on motions filed by Houston lawyers Dick DeGuerin and Jack B. Zimmerman, who had wanted to be allowed access to Mr. Koresh and Mr. Schneider, respectively.
Mr. DeGuerin, who has been hired by Mr. Koresh's mother, Bonnie Haldeman, said late Monday that he would appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Mr. Zimmerman, who has been hired by Mr. Schneider's sister, said he would wait to comment on further legal action until he saw Judge Smith's order.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
|
Back to Top
