A18 Release - FBI on the stand

Judi Bari v FBI

April 18, 2002 Media Release

FBI Takes the Stand
Agents Williams and Doyle Different as Day and Night
Oakland Police Testify They Never Considered An Assassination Attempt

CONTACT: Jean Eisenhower, Kathy Glass, Steve Christianson, (510) 663-6330

Oakland, CA - Today FBI Bomb Experts and Special Agents Frank Doyle (lead defendant) and David Williams took the stand in the historic lawsuit "Bari vs. FBI," which accuses six members of the FBI and three members of the Oakland Police Department of attempting to frame two environmental activists, accusing them of carrying the motion-triggered bomb that nearly killed them.

FBI Special Agent David Williams, a forensic bomb specialist from the FBI Crime Lab in Washington, DC, was questioned today by plaintiffs' lead attorney, Dennis Cunningham. Appearing relaxed and forthcoming, Williams testified that every aspect of the bomb's placement indicated that it was well-hidden: the obliterated underside of the driver's seat, the undamaged back of the seat, the blast pattern damage to the floor, the end cap "impact points," the bomb's having been wrapped in a towel, and the bomb's having been activated by a booby-trap motion device.

FBI Special Agent Frank Doyle was questioned today by attorney Robert Bloom. Doyle is the lead defendant, the "bomb technician" who taught an "FBI bomb school" at a Louisiana-Pacific clearcut site one month prior to the car bombing, who arrived at the bomb scene within minutes. Oakland Police have testified that it was Doyle who falsely stated that the bomb had been in plain view on the back seat floorboard. Bloom elicited from Frank Doyle little more than evasive answers.

According to testimony of the Oakland police earlier this week, Doyle quickly began controlling the car bomb investigation, which included an immediate arrest of the victims and harassment of environmentalists around the country, but never included investigation of the death threats Judi had received or of the famous "Lord's Avenger" letter which describes the bomb for which the letter's author claims responsibility.

On Wednesday, OPD officer Robert Chenault testified that never during the first five hours was there any discussion about whether the booby-trap bomb might have been an attempt on Judi's life.

Next Monday's witness schedule is likely to include:

• Dr. Peter Slabaugh, Judi's attending physician, examined by Robert Bloom.

• Sgt. Del Kraft, OPD, who inspected the car at the bomb scene and took note, examined by Tony Serra.

• Conclusion of Doyle's examination by Robert Bloom.

• Sid Woodcock, plaintiffs' bomb expert, will testify about opinions he formed from his examination of evidence photographs and physical evidence. Examined by Dennis Cunningham.

• Special Agent Phil Sena, FBI defendant, who teamed with Santa Cruz Sheriffs to investigate/spy on EF! and reported fake "tip" about "heavy hitters" from "up north" coming down to Santa Cruz to plant a bomb. Examined by Tony Serra.

The trial will continue until approximately May 24, 2002, (the 12th anniversary of the bombing) in the Oakland Federal Courthouse, 1301 Clay Street, Judge Claudia Wilkin's courtroom (4th floor). Hearings take place Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. The proceedings are open to the public.

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