Denver, Friday
SURVIVORS of the Oklahoma City bombing, the first witnesses in the trial of Timothy McVeigh, today vividly recreated the morning of the blast, recalling desperate searches for loved ones lost in the rubble. of the Alfred P Murrah building on April 19, 1995.
Susan Hunt, a survivor who worked at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, testified how she helped her injured co-workers.
''One woman said: 'I can't see. Do I have an eye?''' she testified. ''I didn't answer her because she didn't.''
The day's proceedings began with the sounds of a massive roar as jurors listened to a dramatic recording of the blast, captured on a tape of a hearing of the Oklahoma Water Re-sources Board across the street from the federal building.
After about two minutes of voices, the tape is interrupted by a huge roar, crashes, rumblings, and the frightened shout of ''Let's get out of here''.
Victims' family members in the court tensed visibly at the start of the harrowing tape and reached for one another tearfully as the explosion was heard.
Defence attorney Stephen Jones has tried to undermine the Government's case by suggesting the possibility of an uncaptured accomplice, confused eyewitnesses, and FBI mishandling of the evidence.
McVeigh, 29, wearing an open-necked white shirt and khaki trousers, and took notes. The tall Gulf War veteran has pleaded not guilty to murder and conspiracy charges and could face the death penalty if convicted.-Reuter
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