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๐ค SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
According to Nasner, this was an idea that SAC Schwein had gotten from his time serving in the US Army.
During the invasion of Panama, American soldiers had tormented military dictator General Manuel Noriega with loud recordings in an effort to force him out of hiding.
Gary Nessner discouraged Jeff Jamar from implementing such a plan.
He pointed out that music was not a recommended negotiation tactic and was not something taught by the FBI.
They were just starting to make real progress with the Branch Davidians and this approach would likely derail that.
Plus, the loud music tactic hadn't actually worked in Panama.
Jeff Jamar assured Nessner that he would speak to SAC Schwein that evening when he came on duty and make sure the tapes weren't played.
In his memoir, Stalling for Time, Nessner describes how he headed back to the motel where he was staying close to midnight, exhausted but reassured that things were working out.
After taking a shower, he turned on the television.
Quote, There on the news covered live was the Davidian compound, brightly illuminated with torturous sounds blaring over speakers.
The HRT blasted various songs, including Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made For Walking across Mount Carmel, along with some deep Tibetan chants.
At the same time, bright floodlights were beamed across the property into the building's windows, making it impossible for people inside to sleep.
Embarrassed on behalf of the FBI and furious that his advice had been ignored, Gary Nessner called the command post to speak to Jeff Jamar, only to find he'd left for the evening.
At 11.35pm, Steve Schneider passed on an angry message from David Koresh.
Because of the loud music, nobody is coming out.
The music eventually stopped, but only because the loudspeaker system malfunctioned
Gary Nesner raised the matter with Jeff Jamar first thing in the morning.
Jamar explained that he'd forgotten to tell SAC Schwein not to play the tapes but promised that it wouldn't happen again.
That night, the tapes were played again.
Included alongside the music and chanting were the sounds of rabbits screaming as they died, recordings typically used by hunters to attract coyotes.