White Separatist Involved in Idaho Shootout With Authorities Is Freed

White separatist Randy Weaver was released from jail Friday, 16 months after a shootout that left his wife, son and a federal marshal dead.

Weaver slipped out a back door of the Canyon County Jail, about 30 miles west of Boise, and was picked up by one of his attorneys, officials said. In Boise, he was reunited with co-defendant Kevin Harris, who was wounded during the shootout at Weaver’s cabin in remote northern Idaho.

The Justice Department is investigating the confrontation involving FBI agents and U.S. marshals. A deputy marshal, Weaver’s wife and his 14-year-old son were shot and killed.

Before the 11-day standoff, federal agents had Weaver’s cabin under surveillance because he failed to appear for a 1991 trial on weapons charges and had violated an agreement that allowed for his release pending the trial.

Weaver, 45, faced up to 15 years in prison and $500,000 in fines after a jury convicted him of failing to appear for the trial. After the standoff, Weaver was acquitted of conspiracy and murder charges from the shootout but was convicted of the earlier weapons charges.

He was sentenced in October to 18 months in prison and was given credit for 14 months already served. He will be on probation for three years.

Weaver has said he plans a trip to Iowa to visit his three daughters. He also told reporters he might start a business there and eventually return to Idaho.