Ruby Ridge Shooting Reconsidered
by DAVID KRAVETS
Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal appeals court will reconsider its decision that an FBI sharpshooter cannot be prosecuted for manslaughter in the shooting death of white separatist Randy Weaver's wife during a 1992 standoff.
In June, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state of Idaho could not prosecute Lon T. Horiuchi for ''actions taken in pursuit of his duties as a federal law enforcement officer.''
Boundary County prosecutors sought the rehearing, arguing the shooting was done by a ''wild-headed government sniper.''
The 9th Circuit said Friday the case would be reheard by 11 judges. No date was set for the new hearing.
During the weeklong standoff at Weaver's remote Idaho cabin, Horiuchi fired a single shot that killed Weaver's wife, Vicki, and wounded family friend Kevin Harris. The sharpshooter fired as Vicki Weaver held open the cabin door, her 10-month-old baby in her arms, to let Randy Weaver, their daughter and Harris back inside.
Horiuchi has maintained that he did not see Vicki Weaver when he fired at Harris, an armed associate of Randy Weaver who was ducking into the cabin as federal agents were attempting to arrest Randy Weaver on a weapons trafficking charge.
Stephen Yagman, a Los Angeles attorney serving as Boundary County's special prosecutor, said the court probably wanted to rehear the high-profile case with additional judges because of its significance.
Horiuchi's attorney, Adam S. Hoffinger, was not immediately available for comment.
Last week, the Justice Department announced the settlement of the last remaining civil lawsuit arising from the weeklong standoff. The government admitted no wrongdoing, but paid Harris $380,000 to drop his $10 million civil damage suit.
In 1995, the government paid Weaver and his three surviving children $3.1 million in the killing of Weaver's wife and their son, Samuel. The 14-year-old son died in a shootout with a team of federal marshals that ignited the siege. A deputy marshal was also killed.
by DAVID KRAVETS
Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal appeals court will reconsider its decision that an FBI sharpshooter cannot be prosecuted for manslaughter in the shooting death of white separatist Randy Weaver's wife during a 1992 standoff.
In June, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state of Idaho could not prosecute Lon T. Horiuchi for ''actions taken in pursuit of his duties as a federal law enforcement officer.''
Boundary County prosecutors sought the rehearing, arguing the shooting was done by a ''wild-headed government sniper.''
The 9th Circuit said Friday the case would be reheard by 11 judges. No date was set for the new hearing.
During the weeklong standoff at Weaver's remote Idaho cabin, Horiuchi fired a single shot that killed Weaver's wife, Vicki, and wounded family friend Kevin Harris. The sharpshooter fired as Vicki Weaver held open the cabin door, her 10-month-old baby in her arms, to let Randy Weaver, their daughter and Harris back inside.
Horiuchi has maintained that he did not see Vicki Weaver when he fired at Harris, an armed associate of Randy Weaver who was ducking into the cabin as federal agents were attempting to arrest Randy Weaver on a weapons trafficking charge.
Stephen Yagman, a Los Angeles attorney serving as Boundary County's special prosecutor, said the court probably wanted to rehear the high-profile case with additional judges because of its significance.
Horiuchi's attorney, Adam S. Hoffinger, was not immediately available for comment.
Last week, the Justice Department announced the settlement of the last remaining civil lawsuit arising from the weeklong standoff. The government admitted no wrongdoing, but paid Harris $380,000 to drop his $10 million civil damage suit.
In 1995, the government paid Weaver and his three surviving children $3.1 million in the killing of Weaver's wife and their son, Samuel. The 14-year-old son died in a shootout with a team of federal marshals that ignited the siege. A deputy marshal was also killed.