One Man's Journey:
             A Former Branch Davidian Speaks Out

In 1989 a private jet landed in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A
bearded young man stepped out onto the tarmac. He had just returned
home from a trip into hell. It would take him almost three years to
free himself from the nightmare.

Robert Scott had been a clean cut, Christian young man. After
serving in the military, he had graduated from a technical school.
In February of 1989, he obtained a position with a firm in
California. His new life and career were interrupted by the
recession that was ravaging the states' economy. Robert lost his
job in August.

Shortly before his layoff, he met a young man named Jimmy Riddle.
Jimmy had invited Robert to attend Bible studies with a group of
people who all shared a big house. When Robert lost his job the
group helped him both physically and provided fellowship.

Robert asked to be allowed to move into their communal home. The
leader and teacher of the group seemed to be very knowledgeable
about the Bible. The Bible suddenly became a mysterious and
complicated book. Perhaps if he lived with the group he could grasp
the message as had his new friends. The man with the true
revelation welcomed him. His name was Vernon Howell.

After several months, Robert was taken to Waco, Texas for intensive
training. The training sessions would last for eight, ten or twelve
hours at a stretch. In only a few months, Robert had come to
believe that Howell was the Lamb of Revelation. Robert has stated
that he would have died for Howell and would have even killed for
him. Within a short while he would lose his sanity because of him.

Robert began to lose touch with reality while in Texas. He was
hallucinating. He noticed that others were having the same problem.
They were losing their grip on reality.

He was returned to California. His condition worsened. Finally, on
16 November 1989, Howell called Robert's family to tell them their
son was being flown home. The next day Robert was admitted to a
hospital for treatment.

Robert's mother, Alice Scott, contacted Watchman Fellowship seeking
any information WF may have on the Branch Davidian group. Based on
this initial contact, WF opened a file on the Branch Davidians and
Vernon Howell.

Robert and his mother Alice have been of enormous help as
consultants to the Watchman staff. They were able to provide
accurate verification of the teachings and practices of the group
which in turn enabled WF to provide more extensive answers to the
media when the standoff first started. 

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