
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 29, 1993                   TAG: 9308290124
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: HOUSTON                                LENGTH: Short

CAMERAMAN CONFIRMS TALK WITH DAVIDIAN

A TV cameraman confirmed he had a chance conversation with a Branch Davidian shortly before February's deadly gunfight at the cult compound. But the TV station's lawyer denies the talk amounted to a decisive tip-off.

"I think people have got to get off this idea that there was this so-called tip or one single warning," said Rick Bostwick, the attorney for KWTX-TV in Waco. "Everybody is looking for the holy grail, but it ain't there."

KWTX camerman Jim Peeler told The Dallas Morning News that he didn't know he was talking to a sect member when a man in a private car bearing U.S. Postal Service signs pulled up and began a conversation. That occurred shortly before Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents were about to raid the cult's compound.

Peeler said he had gotten lost on his way to the compound and the cult member offered him directions. He said he didn't realize the impact of the conversation until Texas Rangers started interviewing journalists who witnessed the raid.

- Associated Press

by CNB