Oregon Standoff Trial: Reverend Franklin Graham Says He Answered the FBI's Call

The Reverend Franklin Graham held the attention of a courtroom in the federal courthouse in Portland Thursday as he testified for the defense in the trial of seven people charged in connection of the 41-day armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The son of Billy Graham. Rev. Graham described for the jury how the FBI had asked him to act as a negotiator to help convince the last four occupiers - Sean and Sandy Anderson, Jeff Banta, and David Fry - to surrender.

"I wanted to help calm the situation," Graham testified. "But I also wanted the FBI to take a deep breath.."

He testified that he had been in contact with the holdouts since January 28th when he was called by the bureau and asked to fly out, which he did on February 10th. Agents drove him out toward the refuge and gave him a loudspeaker, he said.

"Guys, I'm here," he said he told them. "This is Franklin Graham. Listen to what the FBI is going to say to you. It's time to leave."

At first, all four agreed to surrender. Graham told the jurors that he would give them each a big hug when they got out. The Andersons and Banta came out and the four of them knelt and prayed, Graham testified.

Then came the word that Fry wasn't coming out.

"David, I came all the way from North Carolina to meet you. We're here...we love you," Graham said.

When Fry finally did come out - after talk of suicide and eliciting "hallelujahs" from FBI agents, there was much relief.

“They were just weeping uncontrollably, just thanking God that no one was hurt,” Graham said.

Photo Cornstalker via Wikimedia Commons