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August 29, 2008 4:38:44 CDT

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Man in Ricin Case Wakes Up

Posted Mar 14, 08 5:45 CDT in Crime & Courts,  US 

(Newser) – The man at the center of the Las Vegas ricin investigation regained consciousness today, although he remains hospitalized in critical condition, the Associated Press reports. Roger Bergendorff, 57, had been in a coma since Feb. 14; he has already been questioned by FBI agents about the toxin—considered a "biological weapon"—found in his hotel room.

"It is our understanding that there is no established link to any terrorist organization or terrorism at this time," Nevada's homeland-security chief said today. Officials suspect Bergendorff’s coma was the result of ricin exposure, although tests to determine this have proved inconclusive because the drug breaks down in the body within days.

Source Associated Press

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A camper belonging to John Walster, March 4, 2008, in Riverton, Utah. The camper was used in 2006 as temporary quarters by Roger Bergendorff, the man at the center of a ricin investigation.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
A rusted U.S. flag yard decoration stands outside a home Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Riverton, Utah where Roger Bergendorff, who is suffering from ricin poisoning, once lived.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
FBI Special Agent in Charge Tim Fuhrman answers questions during a news conference Sunday, March 2, 2008, in Riverton, Utah.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
This undated picture provided by the FBI shows a vial the agency says contains ricin.   (AP Photo/FBI)
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terrorism  • FBI  • Las Vegas  • Nevada  • poison  • biological weapons  • toxin  • ricin  • Roger Bergendorff  • biological warfare


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