Date: Sun, 20 Jun 93 13:28:05 MST From: Idaho_Survivalist <[R P SBETZ] at [idbsu.idbsu.edu]> Subject: Randy Weaver trial update: Day 41. To: [firearms politics] at [cs.cmu.edu] Status: OR Note: These trial updates are summarized from reports in the _Idaho Statesman_ and the local NBC affiliate television station, KTVB Channel 7. Randy Weaver/Kevin Harris trial update: Day 41. Wednesday, June 16, 1993 was the forty-first day of the trial. Synopsis: The Weaver family and Weaver family supporters gathered as the jury begins the first full day of deliberation. In a related story, analysts believe that Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Howen's absence may have benefited the defense. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge stated that, even after the verdict, the names of the jurors will remain secret. Supporters of Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris have begun to amass as the jury begins the first full day of deliberation. Three men were depicted in a front-page photograph in the _Idaho Statesman_: Erwin Harding from Portland, Oregon, Len Martin from Valley City, N.D., and Allen Brosnius from Redding California. These gentlemen and other Weaver supporters have been staying in a vacant rental house owned by another Weaver supporter and Boise resident. Martin has been following the Weaver case closely from the beginning for a book he's writing. Martin told reporters, "The Weavers are victims. SWAT team attacks have been increasing. It's getting out of hand." Brosnius echoed the sentiment, "When [Weaver and Harris] walk out of the courtroom free men, I want to shake their hands. I'm very constitutionally citizenship-oriented. I do not like what the federal government and the New World Order is doing to us." Brosnius plans on spending the rest of his life "stopping the New World Order." Another man, named Peter [he refused to give his last name], came to see Gerry Spence in action. Peter said he's looking for an attorney to handle a case involving the death of his father, "at the hands of other medical doctors." Peter continued, "I'm so impressed with what I've seen in the courtroom, especially the closing arguments, that regardless of the verdict, I feel Spence has done justice to the Weaver [and] Harris families." Peter plans on traveling to Jackson, Wyoming, to meet with Spence if he is unable to meet him in Boise. In a related story, U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge today stated that, even after the verdict, the names of the jurors will remain secret. Lodge's decision was based on "security and protection" concerns. In another related story, courtroom observers generally agree that the absence of Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Howen probably helped the defense. As Judge Lodge was dismissing two counts against Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris last Friday, Howen suddenly began shaking all over and was unable to speak. The court recessed and Howen was noticeably absent when proceedings resumed. Jim Harris, a former Ada County [Ada County, Idaho: Boise is located in Ada County] prosecutor who has known Howen for over a decade, said that Howen's absence may be critical. Harris said, "My experience, as a prosecutor, is that it would put a significant burden on the government's case, losing the lead prosecutor at that stage of the trial." U.S. Attorney [Idaho] Maurice Ellsworth disagreed, saying, "He got sick. I think people allow for, or understand, that." Yet the jury was not told why Howen has been absent from the courtroom since last Friday. The only explanation they got was from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Lindquist, who said, "I will mention, also, due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Howen is not with me today, but I will speak for him nonetheless." Gerry Spence would not comment on whether Howen's absence would help the defense, but did say that when he inquired about Howen he was "rebuffed." Judge Lodge said, "I have no reason to believe it [Howen's absence] would be a problem. I have not talked with Mr. Howen, but I am concerned [about his health]. I hope that everything is OK." The only other piece of information available about Howen was supplied to Jim Harris via mutual friends. Harris said, "All I know is that he's under care at home." Randy Weaver's parents are currently in Jefferson City, Iowa, but they are deeply concerned about their son. Said Clarence Weaver, Randy's father, "We're prayin' for the whole outfit." When asked about a verdict, he said, "I don't know. It's been pretty well drawn out. It's been tough on us." Clarence, 85, and his wife Wilma, 76, consider themselves too old and too poor to travel to Boise to await the verdict. Clarence mentioned that he needed sleeping pills to get to sleep Tuesday night, in spite of the brilliant closing arguments by defense attorney Gerry Spence. Clarence said of Spence, "I'm proud of him and his son and Chuck [Chuck Peterson, a Boise attorney who has also defended Randy Weaver]. I wish I could do more for them. I don't know what we'd do if we didn't have them." Support for the Weaver family has been coming from all over the world, according to Clarence Weaver. He said, "My phone bill's high, and my wife's gone through twenty books of stamps. People we never heard of before. They think it's terrible what happened to Randy and Vicki." Despite their decision not to travel to Boise to await the verdict, Clarence and Wilma have twice visited Boise during the trial. In both instances, Clarence was granted only non-contact visitation. In one case, he brought Randy's youngest daughter with him, "She had to kiss her daddy through the glass," Clarence said. Clarence continued, saying that Randy's training as a Green Beret while in the military has helped him cope in jail, "He's done real good for what he's been through. He had a good relationship with the guys in the jail." Clarence concluded by noting the irony of Randy's prosecution, "Randall quit college and went into the service. He felt like he should go for his country. And now you can see what the U.S. Government has done to him." ====================================================================== -- ************************************************************** * Ron Phillips [c r philli] at [hound.dazixca.ingr.com] * * Senior Customer Engineer * * Intergraph Electronics * * 381 East Evelyn Avenue VOICE: (415) 691-6473 * * Mountain View, CA 94041 FAX: (415) 691-0350 * **************************************************************