Randy Weaver Trial: 1993

Testimony began on April 12, 1993, and lasted two months. On three occasions evidence was withheld from the defense and revealed later. On the third occasion the judge required the government to pay the defense lawyers' fees for one day as formal punishment. Repeatedly, government witnesses had to retract sworn testimony that contradicted their previous statements. Witnesses called to describe the Weavers' religious and political views ended up, on cross-examination, praising them as a warm, caring, nonviolent family. Three weeks into the trial, Judge Edward Lodge told Spence, "As far as I can see, at least 75 percent of the prosecution witnesses thus far have helped the defense in this case."

Spence agreed; when the prosecution rested, the defense presented no case, but moved immediately to final arguments. On June 15, the case went to the five-man, seven-woman jury, which returned a verdict on July 8. They acquitted Harris on all counts, and Weaver on all but two minor counts. The verdict was a stinging rebuke of government entrapment and violence.

After the trial, Randy Weaver sued the government for damages to himself and his family, and was awarded $3.1 million in a civil action. The Boundary County prosecutor attempted to try Lon Horiuchi for shooting Vicki Weaver, but Judge Lodge ruled in 1998 that Horiuchi was "acting within the scope of his federal authority" and could not be prosecuted.