Twenty pounds heavier after 16 months in jail, white separatist Randy Weaver says he wants nothing more than to be reunited with his three daughters in Iowa.
Weaver, 45, was released from jail Friday, a quiet end to a much-publicized battle with federal authorities that led to a bloody shootout at his northern Idaho mountain cabin.He gave some interviews, then said he wanted to withdraw from public view. Weaver and his lawyers refused to talk about his travel plans to Iowa, hoping to escape media attention.
"I'm not a spokesman and I don't want to lead anybody anywhere," Weaver said. "I never did."
He will return to Iowa in time for Christmas, where daughters Rachel, 17, Sara, 12 and Elishaba, 2, have been living with relatives. "I'm going back to Iowa and hug my babies. It's not home really, but it will be for awhile."
One of the first people to greet and hug Weaver when he was released from the Canyon County jail was Kevin Harris, 26.
Weaver and Harris were charged by the federal government with murder, conspiracy and other crimes because of a shootout and 11-day standoff with federal officers. Deputy U.S. Marshal William Degan, Weaver's son, Samuel, 14 and wife Vicki Weaver, 42, all died in the shootout and standoff.
But after a long trial in Boise, Harris was acquitted of all charges and Weaver was found guilty only of failing to appear for an earlier weapons charge.
U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge sentenced him to 18 months in jail but with credit for time served and "good time" for good behavior, the term was up Friday.
Weaver and Harris were charged but acquitted on federal charges that they engaged in a conspiracy to provoke a violent confrontation with the government.
"I'm pretty much of a normal citizen, actually - a victim in this case," Weaver said.
He might be, but the case drew nationwide attention. Weaver said he got 10,000 letters while in jail. He said he tried to answer them at 40 a day. He also was fined $10,000 by Lodge, but supporters paid the fine.
He said he might return to his cabin near Naples in northern Idaho's Boundary County next summer, but his plans are indefinite.
"Someday, I'd like to get out in the country again with the girls, maybe on a little ranch somewhere with some horses and chickens and dogs."
Weaver said Idaho is a possible location.
He called for the prosecution of federal agents for murder of his wife and son. "That would be very appropriate." He and high-profile Wyoming attorney Gerry Spence have talked about a possible lawsuit against the government because of the deaths.
The Boundary County prosecutor and the U.S. Department of Justice are investigating the shootings.
Weaver said he is encouraged by the federal probe. "It's given me some faith in some people that, yeah, they want the truth. That's what's important to me."