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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cyber Shots Fired Over Ruby Ridge Decision

Talk raced around the Internet on Thursday in the wake of Boundary County’s decision to file new charges over the Ruby Ridge shootout five years ago.

Boundary County Prosecutor Denise Woodbury charged FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi with involuntary manslaughter for killing Vicki Weaver. Kevin Harris is charged with first-degree murder for the death of U.S. Marshal William Degan.

Among the rumors, comments and opinions from Internet discussion groups nationwide are:

“This is going to be interesting folks. Does anyone know a pointer to Idaho law? I’d like to look closely at the text of the laws concerning the use of deadly force. My guess is that Horiuchi is in for the fight of his life (no pun intended).” - posted on talk.politics.misc

“It looks to me like a deal was made here. A government employee shoots a mother holding her baby and kills her and he will be tried for manslaughter. A man shoots a government employee who had just murdered a boy, who was a friend of his, and in anger the man kills the government employee, and the man will be tried for first-degree murder. It is clear that the lives of government employees are worth much more than the lives of the working folks. … I predict the government will spend far more of the taxpayers money defending the government employee and prosecuting the peasant, than vice versa.” - posted on talk.politics.misc

“Lon Horiuchi committed the gravest error which a professional sniper could commit. He had a bad case of premature ejaculation and a woman holding a baby died for his sin. He is probably person (sic) non gratis among real professionals and he must live with his guilt and hope someone doesn’t decide that him or his loved ones don’t become a liability to the government. Sleep tight Lon!” - posted on talk.politics.guns

“Looks like somebody may have to answer for their actions after all. Appears Idaho is finally going to put Lon Horiuchi up on trial for manslaughter. The thing I find odd though, is they’re going to charge Kevin Harris with first-degree murder. If they do try Harris, someone in the DA’s office should be fired for wasting the local taxpayers money” - posted on tx.guns

“If you want to blame someone, blame Weaver for placing his family in such a predicament! How does one sit inside with family waiting for the FBI? I suppose surrender wasn’t an option. Then again, pointing guns at cops can be hazardous to your health.” - posted on alt.politics.org.fbi

“The rumor is that a deal has been made and the government will only charge woman slaughter and malicious wounding in exchange for silence about other criminal activities of the Hostage Rescue Team.” - posted on alt. politics.org.fbi

“I would like to comment on this but I don’t want to end up on some government hit list somewhere. Why don’t we just drop the whole sorry story.” - posted on “The buzz” at www.virtuallynw.com

, DataTimes