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Ricin suspect Everett Dutschke appears in court | Ricin suspect Everett Dutschke appears in court |
(1 day later) | |
A Mississippi martial arts instructor has been held without bond over charges relating to ricin-laced letters sent to President Obama, a senator and a judge. | A Mississippi martial arts instructor has been held without bond over charges relating to ricin-laced letters sent to President Obama, a senator and a judge. |
Hands shackled, James Everett Dutschke appeared in a federal court wearing an orange jumpsuit. | Hands shackled, James Everett Dutschke appeared in a federal court wearing an orange jumpsuit. |
The 41-year-old has been charged with possessing a biological agent with intent to use as a weapon. | The 41-year-old has been charged with possessing a biological agent with intent to use as a weapon. |
Prosecutors are expected to outline the evidence they have against him at a hearing later this week. | Prosecutors are expected to outline the evidence they have against him at a hearing later this week. |
He was detained on Saturday, days after police arrested and then released another man, Paul Kevin Curtis. | |
Investigators, some in hazardous materials suits, searched Mr Dutschke's home, business and vehicles in Tupelo. He had reportedly been under surveillance. | Investigators, some in hazardous materials suits, searched Mr Dutschke's home, business and vehicles in Tupelo. He had reportedly been under surveillance. |
First suspect framed? | First suspect framed? |
During Monday's brief court appearance, Mr Dutschke spoke only to confirm to the judge that he understood the charges. | During Monday's brief court appearance, Mr Dutschke spoke only to confirm to the judge that he understood the charges. |
The former taekwondo-studio operator will remain in jail until a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday. | The former taekwondo-studio operator will remain in jail until a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday. |
According to an FBI news release, Mr Dutschke was charged with "knowingly developing, producing, stockpiling, transferring, acquiring, retaining and possessing a biological agent, toxin and delivery system, for use as a weapon, to wit: ricin". | According to an FBI news release, Mr Dutschke was charged with "knowingly developing, producing, stockpiling, transferring, acquiring, retaining and possessing a biological agent, toxin and delivery system, for use as a weapon, to wit: ricin". |
A lawyer for Mr Dutschke said her client was co-operating with the authorities. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. | A lawyer for Mr Dutschke said her client was co-operating with the authorities. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. |
The letters were sent to the president, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and Judge Sadie Holland on 8 April. | The letters were sent to the president, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker and Judge Sadie Holland on 8 April. |
On 17 April, authorities arrested Mr Curtis, a 45-year-old local Elvis impersonator. But he was released from jail and charges were dropped six days later. | On 17 April, authorities arrested Mr Curtis, a 45-year-old local Elvis impersonator. But he was released from jail and charges were dropped six days later. |
No evidence of ricin was found in FBI searches of Mr Curtis' home. | No evidence of ricin was found in FBI searches of Mr Curtis' home. |
The letters were signed: "I am KC and I approve this message." Mr Curtis, who said he had been framed, often ended posts on his Facebook page in a similar manner. | The letters were signed: "I am KC and I approve this message." Mr Curtis, who said he had been framed, often ended posts on his Facebook page in a similar manner. |
Mr Dutschke and Mr Curtis reportedly knew each other, and Mr Curtis said the two men had discussed publishing a book on an alleged conspiracy Mr Curtis believed he had discovered, to sell body parts on the black market. | Mr Dutschke and Mr Curtis reportedly knew each other, and Mr Curtis said the two men had discussed publishing a book on an alleged conspiracy Mr Curtis believed he had discovered, to sell body parts on the black market. |
But the pair later fell out. | But the pair later fell out. |
Authorities began investigating Mr Dutschke after Mr Curtis' defence lawyers gave them a list of people they thought might have a reason to hurt their client. | Authorities began investigating Mr Dutschke after Mr Curtis' defence lawyers gave them a list of people they thought might have a reason to hurt their client. |