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AP Waco Shooting Analysis Makes Congressional Inquiry All the More Urgent
The TRUTH about GUNS ^ | 9/19/2015 | David Codrea

Posted on 09/19/2015 7:01:57 PM PDT by Elderberry

The Associated Press has analyzed evidence from a May shootout in which nine members of motorcycle clubs were killed outside a Waco restaurant and concluded some were hit by police bullets, a Friday AP report reveals. “The AP reviewed more than 8,800 pages of evidence, including police reports, dash-cam video, photos and audio interviews related to the May 17 confrontation,” the report explains. “Four months later, authorities have released little information about what sparked the fight or how the gunfire played out, and no one has been charged with any of the deaths.” . . .

That goes directly to a concern raised in this column after it was revealed in August that autopsy reports were released without ballistics reports. Along with questionable activities by both the prosecutor and the judge in the case against the bikers, flags were raised because that testing had been assigned to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and ATF had pledged the tests were “being given top priority over other cases.”

Because of that, this column approached Sen. Chuck Grassley of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, with a simple request that is well within their purview and authority, and which would not in any way interfere with the ongoing investigation:

“Ask ATF when Waco ballistics report will be released.”

That’s it – just let us know when it’s expected to be complete. Surely by now the lab folks must have a feel for what procedures must still be completed, and the experience to estimate how long that should take.

With that request sent via Facebook messaging, Grassley’s office responded to TTAG’s inquiry. Except initially, the response just contained platitudes that committed to nothing. Challenging being effectively dismissed with nothing of substance got the staffer’s attention and resulted in a pledge of sorts.

“We definitely appreciate you taking the time to contact Senator Grassley,” the staffer replied. “If you can give us your email or mailing address, the Senator will be able to send you a more detailed message regarding your comments. Thank you.”

That was two days ago, and the detailed email has not arrived yet. With this latest development, I replied with a link to the AP report and a message that “this makes the question by Sen. Grassley to ATF all the more appropriate and urgent.”

This column will continue to monitor developments and post the detailed Grassley reply upon receipt. Perhaps the senator responding to TTAG’s inquiry will receive wider media attention and prod ATF to estimate how much longer the public will have to wait for its report.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: biker; ibtg; texas; tinfoil; waco; wacobikers
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To: ExyZ

"Well my Bellmead allstar..."

I think I found out who that would be, but it's all Greek to me, at the same time.

I have so many tabs open, I'm gonna' crash any day now. I can't hardly keep up with it all...

41 posted on 09/20/2015 6:23:11 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: Cboldt

That does come to mind. And, there are possible real concerns there too.

Still, according to the Morton Act, it looks to me like prosecution cannot entirely shield an undercover officer's name and reports from defense attorneys, although the names and personal particulars need be kept from defendants themselves, with this being the case even if an undercover agent's reports are not planned on being used directly by the prosecution.

It doesn't matter anymore...even according to Renya (which aspect I find to be rather delicious!)

Strange law, huh?

42 posted on 09/20/2015 6:30:50 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: BlueDragon
-- Strange law, huh? --

Not really. Florida has similar requirements in code of criminal procedure.

My thought is defense counsel don't get a list of literally all confidential informants, just those that are associated with a person charged. The issue of "use" is decided by "charge or not." If an informant is in the accused file, and the accused is charged, then the informant is disclosed. But either "no charge," or "informant not in accused file" keeps the informant from being disclosed.

43 posted on 09/20/2015 6:38:17 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt

Yes, and thank you for the brief recap of the particulars regarding the civil suit.

Its hard for me to keep track of all the twists and turns, in part due to some of the past "noise" around here.

I'll leave it somewhat to the imagination just what may be cheeto-colored, for one person around, suggesting only --- dampness of their chair, and keyboard, too? lol

44 posted on 09/20/2015 6:38:57 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: BlueDragon
One woman who was there claimed that years ago she saw Renya snorting coke.

Lol...did she look anything like this?


45 posted on 09/20/2015 6:41:41 PM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: BlueDragon

I’ve wondered if one of the handguns found in the toilet belonged to a felon CI.

Remember how originally the official story was the altercation began inside - - in the men’s room - before that story was no longer operative?

Of course that falsehood supported the story that the Twin Peaks management was non-cooperative?

Anyone want to hazard a guess why the lawsuits between Twin Peaks operator and Twin Peaks franchisor were voluntarily dismissed?

Have you seen anything about that in the MSM?
It was front page at one point. Much coverage.

Ha! Maybe Gator has the scoop?


46 posted on 09/20/2015 6:48:52 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: mac_truck

Dunno?

Maybe we can send in the Dallas County DA to investigate?

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/local-politics/20150327-exclusive-friends-colleagues-dallas-county-da-susan-hawk-spent-time-in-drug-rehab.ece

But no one knows where she is...

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/will-dallas-county-da-susan-hawk-come-back-to-work-next-week.html/


47 posted on 09/20/2015 6:53:12 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: mac_truck

Wow. I wonder if that woman is a prostitute.

http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city-life/04-17-14-judge-carlos-cortez-prostitutes-cocaine-sexual-assault-abuse-child/


48 posted on 09/20/2015 6:58:36 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: Cboldt

I'm no lawyer. but I did come to virtually the same conclusion. I don't think there's much way out of it.

As for law enforcement's investigations of yet others (other than a particular defendant) that's their problem, and should not be the problem of one standing accused, precluding the accused from being able to properly defend themselves.

Renya should drop the "conspiracy" charge nonsense, save for any of those for whom there is evidence that they had conspired with others.

Just think of how much money that would save McClennan County.

49 posted on 09/20/2015 7:05:58 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: BlueDragon

You know, in Texas it is possible to be arrested by a roided out, illegal, side of the road butt fingering cop, and then be prosecuted by a doped up, and MIA DA, in the court of a doped up, child-molesting pervert judge, while the AG and former Governor are both under indictment.

Now THAT is Texas justice, MF!


50 posted on 09/20/2015 7:15:07 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: mac_truck

No, why do ask?

Were you at "the party"? (I assume there was some kind of party...)

All I do know about it, is what two witnesses agreed to.

I reported what I heard, with my own ears. That is all.

You have a problem with that?

51 posted on 09/20/2015 7:15:37 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: BlueDragon
-- Renya should drop the "conspiracy" charge nonsense, save for any of those for whom there is evidence that they had conspired with others. --

I think his intention was "punishment by process," and he never intended to charge people accused of merely conspiracy. After a certain period of time, bail conditions simply expire, no charges are brought, and the issue quietly goes away except for the few who choose to maintain contact with the legal system, and sue.

He may have also thought he could get more snitching by engaging in unconstitutional arrest and detention - bootstrapping the evidence of conspiracy after the violence.

52 posted on 09/20/2015 7:20:19 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: ExyZ
-- Remember how originally the official story was the altercation began inside - - in the men's room - before that story was no longer operative? --

It caused me to sepculate that the origin of a fight was planned by law enforcement.

-- Anyone want to hazard a guess why the lawsuits between Twin Peaks operator and Twin Peaks franchisor were voluntarily dismissed? --

That's easy, just follow the money. Cheaper to settle than go to trial, especially when defendant doesn't have much money; and when the theory of the case is less than solid.

Did the Don Carlos suit go away too?

53 posted on 09/20/2015 7:25:10 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt
Concur.

Thank you again for clarity, in regards to the assortment of considerations under discussion.

54 posted on 09/20/2015 7:29:31 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: Cboldt

“Cheaper to settle than go to trial, especially when defendant doesn’t have much money.”

The Defendant/Operator is reportedly a ~1/2 $Billion corp, per various business journals. Don’t think it was money.

But you do remember the news articles/press releases when the case was first filed?

Almost seemed the Franchisor was working in tandem with LE.

Again, what happened BEFORE the incident?


55 posted on 09/20/2015 7:37:17 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: Cboldt

258 arrested in operation hog trap ...


56 posted on 09/20/2015 7:44:06 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: TexasGator

Is Ted Unlis going to show up here too, Gator?


57 posted on 09/20/2015 7:48:39 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: ExyZ
-- But you do remember the news articles/press releases when the case was first filed? --

Vaguely. So, Chalak Mitra Group, LLC and Peaktastic Beverage, LLC are worth half a billion? Wow. I'd never have guessed that.

I have a copy of the Rodriguez (dead biker's estate) complaint, and something makes me think I read the others (Twin Peaks franchisor v. above-named; and Don Carlos v. above-named).

-- Almost seemed the Franchisor was working in tandem with LE. --

Mixed message there. LE says it contacted both the franchisor and operator before, and got no satisfaction. But yeah, after the incident, the franchisor threw the operator under the bus. Hard to tell what's behind the scenes on that count.

58 posted on 09/20/2015 7:51:32 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: Cboldt

“In fact, biker meets were the specialty of their Twin Peaks outlet in Waco, one of dozens of franchises they managed across the country in a expanding business said to be worth $500 million.”

“The group has now expanded to include hotels in the US and South Africa, real estate, and more than 250 restaurants, including 33 restaurants bought from Yum! Brands Inc. for an undisclosed sum in 2010, with KFC, Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s units in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Gujarat-hotel-owners-caught-in-US-biker-war-own-500m-business/articleshow/47364643.cms


59 posted on 09/20/2015 8:32:18 PM PDT by ExyZ
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To: Cboldt

http://www.bizjournals.com/search?q=Chalak+Group&title=Search+for+Chalak+Group

YMMV


60 posted on 09/20/2015 8:35:55 PM PDT by ExyZ
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