U.S. Circuit Court Of Appeals To Hear Davidian Appeal

DALLAS -- Almost 10 years after a fiery raid near Waco, Texas, surviving Branch Davidians and their families want a new trial for their civil suit against the government.

A U.S. appeals court in New Orleans will hear their arguments Monday. The Davidians lost a $675 million wrongful-death lawsuit more than two years ago.

After a trial in 2000, an advisory jury that heard the lawsuit concluded the government wasn't responsible for the deaths of some 80 men, women and children.

They died when the Davidians' complex near Waco burned to the ground in 1993, after an armored federal assault. Based on the jury's recommendation, a U.S. district judge ruled against the Davidians.

Attorneys for the Branch Davidians said judicial bias made a fair trial impossible.