James Mcveigh Research Paper

Timothy James McVeigh is the American citizen that is responsible for the Oklahoma City Bombing. The Oklahoma City Bombing is labeled as the deadliest act of terrorism in the United States prior to the September 11th attacks, and to this day remains the most serious act of domestic terrorism in the United States. Prior to becoming one of the most wanted terrorists in history, McVeigh was a seemingly disturbed person. People that knew McVeigh say that he was always withdrawn and shy. McVeigh claimed to be the subject of bullying in grade school and also admitted to taking refuge in a fantasy world we he dreamed of one day getting revenge on the bullies. With a strange love for guns, McVeigh frequently told people he wanted to be a gun shop owner in the future. McVeigh would also go so far as to bring firearms to school to impress his classmates. Eventually
graduating high school as an average student, McVeigh deepened his love for guns. It is said that after high school, McVeigh became intensely interested in gun rights as well as the second amendment of the US constitution. McVeigh was also a registered member of the NRA before quitting because he felt the NRA’s stance on gun rights was “too weak.” Probably a direct result of his love for guns, McVeigh soon enlisted in the United States military where it is said most of his free time was dedicated to reading about firearms, sniper tactics, and explosives.
(BBC 2001) During his time in the military, McVeigh was deployed to Iraq for combat in the Gulf War. It was during his time in the Gulf War that McVeigh stated his anti-government feelings originated. After returning from the Gulf War, McVeigh had plans to join the United States Special Forces, but decided to leave the army completely after his psychological profile categorized him as “unsuitable” for Special Forces. After leaving the army, McVeigh seemingly wandered from place to place. Between working dead end jobs, McVeigh frequently wrote letters to local and state government officials complaining about different problems. It seemed that as time progressed, McVeigh’s anti-government feelings progressed as well. Many of his former coworkers expressed that McVeigh frequently sounded off to them daily about his loathing for the government, and that at sometimes that seemed all he cared
about. McVeigh’s extreme hate for the government became apparent to the world on April 19, 1995 when McVeigh and an accomplice drove a bomb-equipped truck to the front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and detonated the bomb inside. The resulting explosion killed 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring 450 others. The FBI traced the explosion to McVeigh through the use of a VIN number from the truck found in the wreckage. During the trial, McVeigh wanted his lawyers to use the necessity plea, implying that his actions were necessary acts and that he should not be punished for them. McVeigh also showed no signs of remorse throughout his trial and even after his trial. He has been quoted numerous times implying that he did not feel bad for killing innocent people and even went far enough as to say his only regret was “not leveling the entire federal building.” With enormous amounts of evidence, as well as McVeigh not denying the crime, on August 10, 1995, Timothy McVeigh was indicted on 11 federal counts including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, use of a weapon of mass destruction, destruction by explosives and eight counts of first-degree murder. (BBC 2001) In June of 1997, McVeigh was found guilty of all 11 counts and sentenced to death. Timothy McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001.