Negotiators Contradict Gritz’s Account

A brief meeting with state negotiators Tuesday left the encircled freemen “euphoric” in the belief that they have won a total victory, James “Bo” Gritz told a news conference.

Assistant Attorney General John Connor Jr. said his impressions were quite different than Gritz’s.

Connor and State Rep. Karl Ohs, R-Harrison met with the anti-government extremists for about an hour and a half Tuesday morning.

Gritz said the freemen apparently believe the Montana criminal charges against them have been dismissed, and that charges against some in Utah and North Carolina and some federal charges will be dismissed if they accept an offer of surrender within 24 hours.

“Whatever happened up there with Connor, it caused these people to speak as if it was a party,” said Gritz, who met with the freemen for two and one-half hours Tuesday afternoon.

“I think Mr. Gritz’s view on that is a little off,” Connor told The Associated Press Tuesday night in a telephone interview from Helena.

He said he would return to Jordan today to meet with the freemen again.

“I’m wary of Mr. Gritz’s characterization of their views, because their view of Mr. Gritz is not quite what Mr. Gritz thinks it is,” Connor said.

The freemen told Gritz and Jack McLamb they would announce their decision about dawn today. Gritz said he and McLamb would return to the farm complex at that time.

Gritz said he doubted the 37-day long siege would end so happily, however.