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

DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993                   TAG: 9310010297
SECTION: NATL/INTL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BIG SPRING, TEXAS                                LENGTH: Short

PRE-KORESH CULT LEADER ESCAPES FROM HOSPITAL

David Koresh's predecessor as leader of the Branch Davidian cult has walked away from a state mental hospital.

George Roden left the hospital compound Monday morning, police Sgt. Scott Griffin said. Several law enforcement agencies were looking for the 60-year-old Roden in west Texas.

He was charged in 1989 with the murder of a 56-year-old man. The following year, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sent to Big Spring State Hospital.

The 77 acres where the cult compound was built belonged to Roden's mother, whose will named Koresh as trustee of the property.

- Associated Press

by CNB