Severely Burned Cult Member Tells Court of Ordeal at Waco Compound

A weeping, severely burned Branch Davidian member described in videotaped testimony how her clothes and gas mask melted onto her skin as she fled the cult’s burning compound.

Marjorie Thomas, whose testimony was played Monday at the federal murder-conspiracy trial of 11 followers of David Koresh, was granted immunity from prosecution. Four agents of the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were killed as agents stormed the compound near Waco on Feb. 28, 1993, and six Davidians are believed to have died.

The botched raid led to a 51-day standoff, which ended in a raging fire April 19. Koresh and 78 followers died in the blaze. Eighteen cult members had been shot.

As her clothes and gas mask melted onto her, Thomas said, she fell to the floor.

“I could feel my legs moving furiously,” Thomas said. “ . . . I don’t know where I got the strength from, but I managed to get up . . . . I made my way towards the light.” Despite her fear of heights, she said, she jumped from an upper story.

Prosecutors say the fire was part of a mass suicide pact.

Thomas, a former Seventh-Day Adventist from Britain, was burned over 51% of her body and testified by videotape because of her injuries.

Thomas also testified that she saw defendants Ruth Riddle, Jaime Castillo and Brad Branch with guns the day of the shootout.

Thomas said that during the standoff, she saw defendants Kevin Whitecliff, Clive Doyle, Graeme Craddock and Renos Avraam with guns. Thomas said she also had a gun.

Under cross-examination, Thomas said she never heard the defendants plan to harm federal agents.

Defense attorneys contend the Davidians were acting in self-defense. They face up to life in prison if convicted.