Freemen, FBI talking again
But custody bungle could slow things down
June 8, 1996
Web posted at: 6:45 p.m. EDT
BRUSETT, Montana (CNN) -- Negotiations between the FBI and
two holed-up Freemen have resumed. Two FBI agents drove
onto the Freemen property and began meeting with two Freemen
in a tent at about 3 p.m. EDT Saturday.
One of the Freemen was identified as Edwin Clark; the other
was unidentified. Clark also met with FBI agents on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Law enforcement sources say they are optimistic about
reaching a peaceful settlement to the 76-day standoff. But
they said they were concerned that a new development could
hamper negotiations. FBI sources told CNN that Utah state
officials reneged on a deal federal agents had cut with a
woman who left the Freeman ranch Thursday with her two
daughters. The FBI, however, said it upheld its end of the
deal.
Gloria Ward said her understanding of her brokered deal with
the FBI was that her sister would be given temporary custody
of the children, 10-year-old Courtnie and
8-year-old Jaylynn Wardof, who left the ranch with her and
her common law husband, Elwin Ward, on Thursday.
But when Ms. Ward arrived in Salt Lake City Friday with her
children, a judge gave temporary custody to Robert Gunn,
Courtnie's father, and gave Ms. Ward only limited visitation
rights. She spoke bitterly of leaving the Freemen ranch,
saying that the FBI and the U.S. government reneged on their
deal.
"My children were protected there, we had the word of Reno
and Matteucci that everything was going to be worked out
fine, we were all safe there. Then they reneged on the
agreement ...
"I think that what should've occurred is what was in the best
interest for my children," she said.
Both Ms. Ward and FBI officials say they are concerned that
the judge's decision could jeopardize further negotiations
with the remaining Freemen. But U.S. attorney Sherry
Matteucci said that while she is sure Ms. Ward is
"distressed" about the child custody ruling, "I don't believe
it will have any effect on our continuing efforts to get this
resolved."
In a statement the FBI said: "The FBI is grateful that
Gloria Ward and her family left the Freemen ranch peacefully.
In negotiating that outcome the FBI did everything as
represented to Ms. Ward. Gloria Ward's sister Lynn Nielsen
has publicly confirmed that to be the case.
"The final custody of the children, whose safety and well
being is paramount, has always been an issue to be determined
by state court. The FBI did assure Gloria Ward that she
would not be arrested by federal authorities and that all
Utah state charges would be dropped. That is what happened.
"The FBI remains hopeful the Freemen will negotiate in good
faith and the situation will be resolved peacefully."
The FBI believes that 17 people -- 12 men, four women and a
teen-age girl -- remain on the ranch. They have refused to
budge for 76 days following the arrest of three of their
leaders.
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