As far as Weaver is concerned, despite the continued comments of some to the contrary...his story is much different regarding the reason for his sale of the shotguns as opposed to what the undercover, paid informant had to say about it (which should come as no surprise because it is clear that the informant, was a liar from the getgo to Randy), and it is clear that the jury believed Weaver.
As far as Weaver was concerned, he was selling a shotgun to a friend of several years, who saw that he needed the money badly that summer and was getting weapons he wanted in exchange for the money. So, yes, he was doing it for the money to try and help get his family through that year. Then the informant, showed him where he wanted it cut off and when Randy complied, the informant came out from his cover and tried to use the 1/4" too much as a lever over Randy to get him to go undercover with the Aryan Nations...which Randy wanted no part of.
Pure entrapment, creating a crime where there was no crime and no criminal intent. The Jury saw it that way too. That ought to be the end of story on that issue.
Mr. Gritz said that he and a local real estate agent were in the area near the cabin. They saw a helicopter approach with a large object hanging from the helicopter -- like one of the fire-fighting helicopters.
Both men were out in the open and Mr. Gritz was sure that they were spotted by the men aboard the helicopter. The helicopter changed direction and left the area.
Mr. Gritz suggested that just possibly the Weaver cabin was about to have a fire -- I can spectulate how it would have been reported -- "White supremacist kills wife, children, and self with arsenal of napalm bombs and flamethrowers! Federal agents look on in horror, wait for rest of arsenal to explode."
Yes, I really believe that "that's the way it is."
Very few federal employees are "evil" but a hell of a lot have the attitude that "it all counts toward 30," in my opinion.