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1 separatist surrenders in Texas standoff
May 2, 1997
Web posted at: 11:59 a.m. EDT (1559 GMT)
FORT DAVIS, Texas (CNN) -- Robert Johnson Scheidt, whom Republic of Texas leader Richard McLaren described as the commander of his bodyguards, surrendered to authorities Friday.
Scheidt was arrested Sunday on a weapons charge, and later swapped for two hostages the group held. He walked out of the separatist group's trailer "embassy" of his own accord and gave himself up to deputies.
He is expected to be charged with organized criminal activity and still faces the assault weapons charges he was originally booked with on Sunday.
McLaren and five other people holed up near the Davis Mountains resort community are wanted on charges of kidnapping or other offenses in connection with the hostage-taking Sunday. A total of 12 were believed to remain inside the trailer.
It was unclear whether Scheidt's surrender indicated that McLaren and the rest of the group would surrender soon, but authorities said his move showed promise. The situation had appeared intractable earlier in the day.
"This thing looks like it is winding down," said Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike Cox.
Texas authorities have been waiting for separatist leader Richard McLaren to respond to what his attorney called their "last final written offer" to end the six-day standoff.
McLaren's attorney, Terry O'Rourke, told reporters, "I am advising my client in no uncertain terms to end it. It is clear to me that we have made the best deal possible under the circumstances."
He told reporters Thursday night, "I closed the letter to my client by saying, 'It is essential you pick up the phone and say you are coming out because they've made it clear they're going to execute the warrants.'"
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