Page "Waco siege" Paragraph 4

After the death of Lois and probate of Lois ' estate in January 1987, Howell attempted to gain control of the Mt Carmel center by force.

George Roden had dug up the casket of one Anna Hughes from the Davidian cemetery and had challenged Howell to a resurrection contest to prove who was the rightful heir to the leadership.

Howell instead went to the police and claimed Roden was guilty of corpse abuse.

By October 31, 1987 the county prosecutors had refused to file charges without proof and so on November 3, 1987 Howell and seven armed companions attempted to access the Mt.

Carmel chapel with the goal of photographing the body in the casket.

George Roden was advised of the interlopers and grabbed an Uzi in response.

The sheriff's department responded about 20 minutes into the gunfight.

Sheriff Harwell got Howell on the phone and told him to stop shooting and surrender.

Howell and his companions, dubbed the " Rodenville Eight " by the media, were tried on April 12, 1988 ; seven were acquitted and the jury was hung on Howell's verdict.

The county prosecutors did not press the case further.