Six Branch Davidians Due for Release 13 Years After Waco Inferno

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

WACO, Texas — Thirteen years after the disastrous end of the Waco area standoff, six Branch Davidians are preparing for life out of prison.

Most of the Davidians who will be freed over the next two months escaped from David Koresh's compound before it burned to the ground, 13 years ago today. The armed standoff began with a shootout when federal agents tried to arrest Koresh for stockpiling guns and explosives.

The six were imprisoned for manslaughter or weapons offenses or both, in connection with the gunfire that killed four federal agents and six Davidians.

The inferno that erupted 51 days later killed Koresh and nearly 80 followers, including two dozen children. Survivors blamed tear gas sprayed into the compound by tanks. But authorities say the Davidians set the fire to commit suicide.

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