Michael Fortier, questioned by Joseph Hartzler

One of the principal witnesses in Timothy McVeigh's trial for bombing the federal building in Oklahoma City was Michael Fortier. Fortier and McVeigh had been good friends for many years; they had served in the army together and McVeigh had been Fortier's best man at his wedding. However, Fortier testified against McVeigh during his trial. Fortier struck a deal with prosecutors; prosecutors would recommend a reduced sentence on unrelated weapons charges in exchange for his testimony about what McVeigh had told him about the plot to bomb the federal building.

The following is an excerpt of Fortier's testimony. Responding to questions by prosecutor Joseph Hartzler, Fortier stated that McVeigh was determined to take offensive action against the government he felt murdered innocent civilians in a raid on the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas...