Topic: Associated Press

The Associated Press reported that jurors in the Waco trial expressed outrage after learning the government's strategy involved using tanks to penetrate the Branch Davidian residence. Testimony revealed that armored vehicles were ordered to collapse the structure while men, women, and children were inside. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that several children died from blunt force trauma caused by the collapsing building rather than the fire alone.

The segment references Associated Press reports on juror reactions to trial testimony. According to the guests, the testimony revealed that tanks were not merely inserting gas but were ordered to penetrate and bring down the structure. This strategy allegedly resulted in children dying from crushed skulls and blunt force trauma as the residence collapsed, contradicting the government's stated goal of "saving" the children.

The discussion analyzes the rise of the militia movement in America as a direct response to the government's actions at Waco. The host argues that the failure to indict tank drivers or high-ranking officials for the deaths of women and children has broken the social contract. He suggests that when a government "goes outlaw" and kills its citizens on television without accountability, people feel the need to arm themselves for self-defense.

A caller cites an Associated Press story from the March 1, 1994, edition of the Austin American-Statesman regarding juror outrage. The report allegedly details government testimony that tanks were ordered to demolish the Mount Carmel residence while it was occupied. The caller links this to coroner reports of children dying from "blunt force trauma to the skull," suggesting these deaths were caused by the structural collapse triggered by the tanks rather than by the parents.