Anonymous Host

Officials repeatedly refer to the Branch Davidians as a cult, a word that held loaded significance and called to mind previous tragedies, such as the Manson family murders in 1969 and the Jonestown Massacre in 1978, covered in episode 60 of Case File.

Moreover, the Branch Davidians were described as militant religious zealots who were dangerous to the public.

The Branch Davidians watched and listened to these press conferences via their televisions and radios inside Mount Carmel.

With little else to go on and unable to speak to the subjects of the siege themselves, journalists took to wandering around the city of Waco.

They chatted to locals to see if anyone had personal anecdotes about the so-called cult currently holed up in their compound.

People they spoke to said they found the group a bit strange, but not scary.

They definitely weren't considered dangerous.

Occasionally, reporters and photographers tried to sneak closer to Mount Carmel to see what was happening.

When caught doing so, they were arrested and handcuffed.

In one call with negotiators, Steve Schneider voiced his distress at the situation, stating, ''The press are so far back, you guys could come and blow us away and give any story you wanted.''

As the days went by, the roadside press area grew and was dubbed Media City.

There were rows and rows of TV trucks lining both sides of the road.

Reporters set up tents and barbecue grills while they waited for something to happen.

Journalist Carlton Stowers later told author Jeff Gwynne, quote, All around Mount Carmel there were so many agents and army guys and negotiators and equipment and tanks and everything that it looked like our government was going to war with another country.

Soon, members of the public began showing up at a hill just outside Media City to join the growing circus.

Most were protesters demonstrating solidarity with the Branch Davidians, while others saw a business opportunity.

They sold t-shirts and homemade souvenirs like coffee cups, baseball hats and postcards emblazoned with anti- or pro-government messages and dark jokes.

One read, "'Mt.

Carmel erupts, a message from God, the sinful episode.'"

Another read, Hey Vern, weird asshole, come out.