Live Wire: The Loud Life and Shocking Murder of Alan Berg Episode 8: Standoff at Whidbey Island.
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Aug 5, 2025 Join Wayne Manis, a former FBI agent who profiled Robert Matthews, and David Heckenbach from the Denver District Attorney's Office as they recount the intense standoff on Whidbey Island. They delve into the shocking details of the violent exchange between Matthews and law enforcement, showcasing the challenges of taking down a criminal organization. The discussion also touches on the moral complexities police faced post-confrontation and the controversial decisions made in the pursuit of justice surrounding Alan Berg's murder.
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Murder Weapon Found In Raid
- FBI agents recovered a MAC-10 in Gary Yarbrough's home that matched bullets from Alan Berg's murder.
- Ballistic tests confirmed the MAC-10 was the murder weapon, tying Order members to the assassination.
Fiery Standoff On Whidbey Island
- FBI agents engaged Robert Matthews at his Whidbey Island cabin in a prolonged firefight that lasted into the night.
- The cabin burned and Matthews was later found dead, his body consumed by fire after intense exchanges.
Standoff Altered Prosecution Strategy
- With Matthews dead, prosecutors lost their primary defendant but retained a trove of evidence for RICO cases.
- The standoff shortened the list of people who could be tried in person, complicating local murder prosecution.