Which bikers were shot by Waco Police? Six months later, mystery remains

Houston Chronicle ^ | November 12, 2015 | Dane Schiller

[don-o]

Even as the nation wrestles with fatal police shootings, one thing has been a constant: authorities share their version of events in a timely manner.

It has been six months since the infamous biker melee at Twin Peaks in which nine people were killed, at least 18 wounded, and 177 arrested on charges of engaging in organized crime but the mystery remains: How many of the dead or wounded were shot by officers?

Defense lawyers say the answer is not among of the reams of documents, photos, surveillance videos and autopsies they have been allowed to review in the case. Ballistics reports, which would clear up the matter, remain under guard or incomplete.

With the indictment of 106 of the bikers this week, there is no word in the court papers on who authorities contend shot who and why.

The McLennan County District Attorney’s Office and Waco Police Department have said that even if ballistics tests were completed, a gag order by the court prevents them from commenting.

snip

No matter the reason for the delay, all the passing time has done is fuel theories that authorities have something to hide.

As one law enforcement officer reminded me, no matter what happened at Waco, the truth will eventually be known.

[Cboldt]

-- they are trying to intimidate the defendants into a "plea bargain" to make this go away. ...

I doubt this is typical of Texas legal procedure. --

Typical or not (and I submit that mass indictment of 100+ people for the same crime is not typical, anywhere), the Texas courts are agreeing with and supporting the DA. 100% of the times the complaint was challenged, the courts found that it contained probable cause specific enough to the accused. I predict that the Texas courts will find the indictment sufficient, too.

In other words, Texas courts endorse leveling of charges with less than necessary specificity, and intimidation of innocent people to cop a plea in order to extract themselves from Texas legal process.

[Texas Fossil]

The ATF self-described “official” Twitter account (@batf) stated they were present.

I Rted that statement several times to friends of mine. The account is gone. It has been replaced by a bogus account by same name. Old activation date, no tweets, 6 bogus followers.

And I tweeted this article to @WacoPolice (Sgt Swanton’s account) soon after the shootings took place:

Militarization Is More Than Tanks and Rifles: It’s a Cultural Disease, Acclimating the Citizenry to Life in a Police State

http://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/militarization_is_more_than_tanks_and_rifles_its_a_cultural_disease_acclima

Less than an hour after I did, the author’s website link disappeared. Got a 404 error message (it was still on a number of other sites in total) It later re-appeared on the author’s website with a different link (the above link).

I have a copy of the Google Cache version of the original article link showing it did exist and was removed.

Next day, @WacoPolice blocked me from their account. Along with that, my tweets concerning them disappeared. (that is normal when account is blocked)

This was not a local run operation.

[centurion316]

No, never was a Pinelander

[Texas Fossil]

I agree.

Did you follow the Wisconsin abuse of the John Doe prosecution of the staff of governor Walker?

It finally was ended after years of weaponization of the legal system there against political opponents.

I see similarities here.

[Texas Fossil]

Here is the best coverage on the mess in WI.

They did an excellent job of covering the subject from several years.

http://watchdog.org/series/wisconsins-secret-war/

[Cboldt]

-- Did you follow the Wisconsin abuse of the John Doe prosecution of the staff of governor Walker? --

Not closely, but did from time to time.

-- It finally was ended after years of weaponization of the legal system there against political opponents. --

Most of the abuse there was search and seizure of evidence.

-- I see similarities here. --

To the extent that DA and courts perpetrate and facilitate corrupt practices, yes. The courts in Wisconsin were part of the problem.

Here is a motion in an unrelated Texas case, arguing that defendant's indictment was deficient. It cites numerous precedents. Few accused will have the resources, expertise and desire to poke holes in corrupt legal practices perpetrated by prosecutors with the help and endorsement of courts, and courts/judges give prosecutors total leeway in fixing deficient charges. The longer the falsely accused is in the legal system, the better. The worst that comes to the prosecutor and judge is an admonishment. Absolute immunity.

[mad_as_he$$]

I watched Swanton’s statement again a few days ago. In all honesty he is such a muddled dolt that when he says the ATF is here I can't tell if he means here now or there when it stated. I lean too they were there and actively pursuing their long term vendetta against bikers.

You are not the only one that has noticed and cataloging shift stories.

[Texas Fossil]

The worst that comes to the prosecutor and judge is an admonishment. Absolute immunity.

That is very unfortunate. Aren't judges "elected"?