Stephen Jones, a lawyer from Enid, Okla. who represented Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, implied that McVeigh waived his right to appeal his execution in order to protect what Jones called “foreign influences.”
“Timothy McVeigh believed that the United States government had done a great harm. He believed it so much that he was willing to die for it. He was willing others to die for it,” said Jones, who spoke Tuesday night in Forum Hall.
Jones said McVeigh was enraged by actions undertaken by the government at Waco, Texas, with the Branch Davidians.
“The government committed a terrible crime at Mt. Carmel. At best, it was a gross indifference for human life, and at its worst, it was cold-blooded murder of American citizens,” Jones said.
Jones said he believed the United States was the most hated country in the world and that there would be more terrorist incidents in the future, but not until after the execution of McVeigh.
“The attacks of 9/11 occurred on the 90th day following McVeigh’s execution,” he said.
Jones inferred throughout the speech to a “possible foreign connection” involved in the attacks on the federal building in Oklahoma City. He said he believed the government withheld evidence from the defense regarding this and that many witnesses perjured themselves to prevent this information from being released.
Jones said he believed McVeigh intentionally waived his right to the appeals process following his sentencing to prevent this information from being revealed.
“You could say a lot about Timothy McVeigh, but he was not a coward,” Jones said.
An audience member asked, “By whom was Timothy McVeigh recruited?”
After a prolonged pause, Jones said, “I’m not under any gag order, but there are still pending criminal procedures. I do not feel comfortable answering that tonight. You’ll just have to read the book.”
The book, “Others Unknown, The Oklahoma City Bombing Case and Conspiracy,” is Jones’ response to a book authored by McVeigh while he was in jail criticizing Jones’ work as McVeigh’s defense lawyer.
The proceeds from Jones’ book will be donated entirely to an unknown charity.
Jones was the first speaker of this year’s Dorothy L. Thompson Civil Rights Lecture series.