[from Ruby Ridge: The Truth and Tragedy of the Randy Weaver Family by Jess Walter]
(used with permission of the author)
Cross-examination by Defense Attorney Gerry Spence:
Spence: “The people that get on these [hostage rescue] teams are people who know they are going to be trained to shoot other human beings, aren’t they?”
Rogers: “Well, that’s certainly part of it.”
Spence: “And they know when they volunteer that they may have to kill a citizen?”
Rogers: “Or a terrorist.”
Spence: “....Now listen, we’re going to be here a long time. Just answer my question, and we’ll get along. Would you expect [your snipers] to hit somebody in the head every time at two hundred yards with a ten-power scope?”
Rogers: “If they’re not moving."
Spence: “....Would there be any reason why, if Mr. Weaver was standing next to the front door of his home and screaming at the top of his lungs, that nobody could hear him cry out that his wife had been killed?”
Rogers: “Well, sir, clearly it didn’t happen.”
Spence: ....“If there were booby traps, the children and the dog and the chickens and all the rest running around the yard must have a very good knowledge of where they are, so they [didn’t] step on them?”
Spence: ....“So you knew that under these rules of engagement, a true ambush had been set up by the federal government, isn’t that true?”
Rogers: “Of course not.”
Spence: “Did you use that rule of engagement at Waco?”
Rogers: “Judge, you know, I resent the implication that man has made concerning Waco. [Addressing Spence:] Are you aware of the fact that no shots were fired at Waco?”
Cross-examination by Defense Attorney Ellie Matthews:
Matthews: [Did you consider in your strategy the laws of the state of Idaho?]
Rogers: “In what regard, sir?”
Matthews: “In establishing your rules of engagement.”
Rogers: “No, sir. I don’t operate -under state law. I operate under federal law, which supersedes state law.”