Released bikers give clashing accounts of Twin Peaks shootout

As more bikers are released from McLennan County Jail, the accounts of what led up to the deadly shootout at Twin Peaks come into sharper conflict with each other.

Police and prosecutors have painted the May 17 shooting as a clash of rival “gangs” — primarily the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle clubs — that were armed and prepared to settle scores in a public place.

Waco police have said more than 300 weapons found at the scene show there was “criminal intent” among the 177 who were jailed in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

“(It) indicates to the public that these are not clubs, these are criminal gangs that came here with the intent or anticipation of violence,” Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton said in the week after the shooting.

Bikers and their attorneys give different accounts of the cause of the conflict, depending on their sympathies toward one group or another.

Some of those “weapons” were finger nail clippers.

It should be noted that in the west it would be pretty hard to find an average blue collar guy that didn't carry a knife of some mention... I myself always have a pen knife in my pocket and a folding 5" Old Timer on me at all times, along with a multi-tool... All of which might be called a weapon (and admittedly can be), but most western men would consider them normal everyday tools.

To expand the point, my truck normally houses my 45/70 carbine and the 'possibles' belt I use when I go out to the woods... Among other things, that belt carries a tomahawk, a large hunting knife, and a .45 ACP... In addition to that belt, my go-bag also resides in my truck - Likewise, it is always on me when I am in the woods, which no doubt contains many things that could be considered weapons... And that doesn't include all the things (camp axe, tools, chains, straps, etc) that are in the sawbox in the back.

No doubt all of these things could be spun toward the idea that I am 'anticipating' battle, when in reality, they are just normal functional things that any woodsman would necessarily keep handy.

City folks might get the wrong idea.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.