On Tape, Koresh Blasts Notion of a Mass Suicide by Sect

In a taped conversation with a lawyer, cult leader David Koresh blasted the notion that sect members planned a mass suicide and called his armed response to the initial raid by federal agents “the American way.”

On the tape given to the Houston Chronicle, Koresh also said he was waiting for gunshot wounds he received in the raid to heal before ending the standoff that began with the shootout, the newspaper reported Friday.

Koresh called the gun battle self-defense in the March 28 telephone conversation with lawyer Dick DeGuerin, who taped it.

“I don’t care who they are,” Koresh said. “Nobody is going to come to my home, with my babies around, shaking guns around, without a gun back in their face. That’s just the American way.”

The 51-day siege ended on April 19 when fire engulfed the compound. Koresh and up to 85 Branch Davidian followers died. Four agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms died in the initial shootout.

Koresh said he planned to surrender when his health improved.

“Once I do go out of here, I want to go out walking,” he said.

He didn’t discuss his religious beliefs in the one-hour conversation, concentrating on the standoff. He said he was irritated by official statements saying cult members might commit suicide.

“That’s not even sane; it irks me,” Koresh said.

Federal authorities have said that cult members set the fire that destroyed the compound, but surviving cultists deny there was a suicide pact. The bodies of Koresh and others had gunshot wounds to the head.