From: [j--as--n] at [iu.net] (jim)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns
Subject: ATF Murder & Cover-up ?
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 21:46:36 GMT

Source : Vero Beach (Fla) Press Journal 7/12/96 ... 7/13/96

Has the ATF lived down to its reputation again ? You judge :

Alan Gillespie, an employee of Knights' Armaments in Vero
Beach florida, reportedly committed suicide during an ATF
search of his home. Mr. Gillespie was suspected of
traffiking in fully automatic rifles, silencers and perhaps
explosive devices. 

According to the Press Journal :

"Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said
Gillespie killed himself while agents searched his house early
that morning. Agents had handcuffed Gillespies' hands in front
of him to make him feel more comfortable during what agents
expected to be a long search, said Orlando Blanco, public
information officer for the ATF in Miami. According to the
ATF agents, the handcuffed Gillespie walked into the kitchen,
grabbed a 9mm firearm and shot himself." [in the temple]

Now since WHEN would the feds leave an unattended suspect
handcuffed IN FRONT to wander around in his home during
a search for dangerous contraband??? Puts agents at
extreme risk, don't you think ? He might have shot agents,
he might have had the house wired to explode. It is
VERY difficult to believe that any federal agents could
be THAT inattentive to issues of personal safety.

Why would Mr. Gillespie commit suicide? He had a wife
and daughter and could surely have plea-bargained any
charges down to diddly. The 7/13/96 Press Journal notes
that no illegal firearms were found, although two
"bombs" were recovered, which may have been nothing more
than household plumbing supplies as far as we know.

Further info - the medical examiner reported NO powder
residues on Mr. Gillespies hands. Add to this the
mechanical difficulties in shooting oneself in the
temple with handcuffs on and things begin to look
just a bit suspicious. 

Mr. Gillespie was a well-liked member of his community,
and friends and neighbors - knowing he was a firearms
collector - were NOT impressed by the usual ATF photo
op with his collection strewn on a table. His family
is beginning inquiries and requests that any donations
be sent to the NRA. 

This looks VERY BAD for the ATF. One suspects a rather
third-world "interrogation" session followed by some
agent saying "Oops!". Circumstances and evidence do
not support the "suicide" claim. And we were told that
the ATF was going to be "kinder and gentler" after
the Ruby Ridge and Waco fiascos. Keep a sharp eye on
this case.