Waco Hearings - DAY 8
Waco Hearings - DAY 8
WACO HEARINGS: 8:30AM - - Master Number 10983 - INTRODUCTION: The following footage of the Waco Hearings consists of Day #8 opening statements from Congressman McCollum, Zeliff and Schumer and Congresswoman Thurman, in addition to, the introduction and subsequent questioning of the sixteenth group of panelists. They are: Judge William Sessions; former Director of the FBI, Floyd Clark; former Deputy Director of the FBI, Webster Hubbell; Associate Attorney General, Marc Richard; Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the FBI's Criminal Division, Larry Potts; Former Assistant Director of the FBI's Criminal Investigation Division and Doctor Harry Salem; Chief Scientists for Life Sciences at the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command. Questions, and or statements are presented to the panelists from Representatives: Bryant, Thurman, Chabot and Scott. 08:29:05 Fresh footage shows the Sub-Committee Chamber in recess. 08:48:20 Chairman McCollum reconvenes the hearings beginning Day 8. 08:48:50 Chairman McCollum begins his opening statement. 08:52:07 Chairwoman Thurman asks that her opening statement be entered into the record. 08:52:25 Congressman Zeliff begins his opening statement. 08:56:52 Congressman Schumer begins his opening statement. 0903:25 Chairman McCollum introduces the sixteenth group of panelists. They are: Judge William Sessions; former Director of the FBI, Floyd Clark; former Deputy Director of the FBI, Webster Hubbell; Associate Attorney General, Marc Richard; Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the FBI's Criminal Division, Larry Potts; Former Assistant Director of the FBI's Criminal Investigation Division and Doctor Harry Salem; Chief Scientists for Life Sciences at the US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command. Chairman McCollum swears the panelists in. 09:04:41 Congressman Bryant begins his time by making several statements concerning the FBI's monitoring of the surveillance tapes, and the fact that agents were not able to determine the Davidians were preparing to set a fire. Rep. Bryant then asks Doctor Salem if CS-Gas would have debilitated the Davidian children, thus, preventing their escape from the compound. He replies there is no difference in the types of affects CS-Gas has on adults as opposed to children, and then states CS-Gas does not affect cognitive skills. Turning then to Mr. Hubbell and Judge Sessions, Congressman Bryant asks what convinced the Attorney General to reconsider the gas insertion plan. Judge Sessions replies that a meeting took place in Mr. Hubbell's office where he was informed that the Attorney General struck down the plan. Continuing on, Judge Sessions asserts that he appealed the decision fearing there was a political motive behind it. He then tells how the Attorney General joined the meeting to discuses the matter. Mr. Hubbell confirms Judge Sessions's comments. 09:11:25 Congresswoman Thurman begins her time by asking Doctor Salem if he would like to comment on the claim made by Congressman McCollum that he has not been published on the issue of CS-Gas. He replies by restating previous testimony concerning his credentials, and is then asked if any misinformation has been presented during the hearings. Doctor Salem responds that he would need time to think about the question. Rep. Thurman then asks Judge Sessions if the April 14th surrender letter was in fact such a letter, if it was forwarded to experts and or if the White House was told of it. He replies he doesn't recall any such letter. Turning then to Mr. Potts, Rep. Thurman asks him to explain. He replies the letter wasn't an actual "surrender letter," rather a claim that a manuscript would be written. He adds that Judge Sessions never received the document, rather it was presented to the FBI Command Center in Washington. Judge Sessions interjects to state that he knew the letter existed at the Command Center, but never knew it as an offer of surrender. Turning then to Mr. Clark, Rep. Thurman asks him to detail his meeting with Agent Jamar on April 7th and 8th in Waco. He replies by describing how he wanted to gain a personal perspective on the types of stresses occurring at Waco. 09:20:07 Congressman Chabot begins his time by responding to Congressman Schumer's opening statement concerning the politicization of the hearings. He then yields his remaining time. 09:20:42 Congressman Bryant begins his time by asking Mr. Hubbell of his association with the President concerning Waco. He replies no such relationship existed until April 19th. He adds that before April 19th contact with the President was made via Stuart Gresham, and after the Attorney General's appointment via White House Council appointees. Continuing on, Mr. Hubbell states that the President was briefed by the Attorney General the Sunday prior to the April 19th raid. Pressing the issue, Congressman Bryant asks Mr. Hubbell if Waco was ever brought up in personal conversations with the President. He replies no. Judge Sessions is then asked about the report that alleges agents were growing tired near the end of the siege. He replies that fatigue had been a factor in determining the timing of the second raid, but stresses not a deciding one. 09:27:50 Congressman Scott begins his time by asking Judge Sessions if the Exclusionary Rule should be "watered down." He replies law enforcement openingly accepts their role of applying the law, and then asserts that the Exclusionary Rule is needed. Rep. Scott then . . . 09:30:52 TIME OUT.