Ricin...and Roger Bergendorff

I really thought this case would just fade away into the nothingness of the Internet, but it keeps popping back up. Recall back in February that the poison "ricin" was found in a Las Vegas motel, 2 weeks after a man was hospitalized with difficulty breathing. That man later lapsed into a coma, and was identified as Roger Bergendorff. The toxic biological agent ricin was only discovered later when a relative of Bergendorff went to the motel to retrieve the man's belongings which had been left behind. It was at that time that he discovered the vials which contained ricin. The authorities were notified and the room was also found to contain additional vials, castor beans (necessary in ricin production) firearms, and obscure manuals like the "Anarchist's Cookbook." All the comforts of home.

I mentioned in yesterday's blogging that Bergendorff had awakened from his coma, not long ago, and was presently being charged with possession of the substance among other charges. Today Mr. Bergendorff was in court and denies that he was involved in any "poisoning plot" according to this article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/17/ricin.arrest.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories on the CNN website. Of course, seeing as said crime carries a hefty penalty (30 years in federal prison and a $750,000 fine) I can see not really wanting to be associated with any such matter.

Bergendorff's attorney Paul Riddle asserted to the federal court judge that his client's, "...poor health is not a result of exposure to ricin..." Instead he submitted that his client "fell ill with pneumonia and kidney failure, resulting from a mental and emotional downturn after his older brother died in January."

Ah... well since you put it like that. The deadly poison played absolutely no role in Mr. Bergendorff's health issues. Sheesh, how could we have ever thought otherwise. Hmmm...

Do they think we're ALL this stupid? Or are we really just this stupid?

Regards,

cheer_dad

Remember the RICIN incident in Las Vegas?

The following article from CNN details follow up from the incident where "ricin" was discovered in a Las Vegas hotel room, back in February:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/16/ricin.arrest/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Suffice it to say that the man, Roger Bergendorff who was first hospitalized when he experienced trouble breathing back on February 14th, and was the victim of ricin poinsoning, awoke from his coma on March 14th. Today, he was arrested for among other charges the possession of the deadly biological toxin, ricin.

Check out the article for additional information, but my only question is what was Mr. Bergendorff planning to do with the ricin in the first place. I would think (or at least hope) that poisoning himself was not the intended usage. Then again what do I know.

Only truth is stranger than fiction.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Ricin in Vegas update

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/29/ricin.hotel/index.html

This story is getting a lot of press and a lot of hallway chat here at the office. According to this latest report from CNN a man who previously stayed in the hotel room where the Ricin was found has been in the hospital in critical condition now since February 14th! The small container of ricin was discovered by "a friend or relative" of the victim who went to the hotel to retrieve his belongings. I'm still a little confused about how "foul play" is not a suspicion, but hopefully as the story continues we'll learn more.

One comment that I'll have to make here, it seems everytime something threatening like this happens that everyone spends their time pointing away from the terror angle, instead of just covering the story. The authorities always have to make the first statement to say that this is not a terrorism incident. The FBI is currently treating it as only a criminal investigation.

Either way there's still a friggin' wacko out there who had the stuff in the first place.

I do sincerely hope that the guy in the hospital, suffering from exposure makes a full recovery.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Ricin found in Vegas hotel...

After reading this article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/29/ricin.hotel/index.html?eref=rss_topstories all I can say is "Party Foul!" According to the authorities an unspecified quantity of "ricin" was found in a hotel room in Las Vegas. Ricin is a deadly toxin. As little as 500 micrograms -- an amount the size of the head of a pin -- can kill an adult. Symptoms of ricin poisoning include anything from difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea and sweating to severe vomiting and dehydration. At present it is not being treated as a terrorist incident, but where do these sick bastards come from?

Regards,

cheer_dad