Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 6, 2008 2:27:16 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Man Says He Had Ricin for Self-Defense

Posted Mar 18, 08 7:35 AM CDT in Crime & Courts 

(Newser) – The Las Vegas man hospitalized by exposure to ricin in his hotel room told his brother he  did not intend to hurt anyone with it, the AP reports. Roger Bergendoff, who regained consciousness last week after a month, admitted possessing the biological agent but said it was for self-defense. "He just confirmed that it was not intended for anybody," said his brother. "It was something that would be used for his own purposes."

Nevada police have yet to say whether they will prosecute Bergendorff, but mere possession of ricin could land him in jail for 10 years; if he made the substance himself, he could be slapped with a life sentence. "He did talk as though he just had it there; he was almost kind of casual about it," Erich Bergendorff said.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Man in Ricin Case Wakes Up

    Mar 14, 08 5:45 PM CDT
    Man in Ricin Case Wakes Up 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. More »

  • Utah Home Searched in Ricin Case

    Mar 3, 08 7:03 AM CST
    Utah Home Searched in Ricin Case FBI agents yesterday searched the former Utah home of a man clinging to life after apparent ricin poisoning in his Las Vegas hotel room. Neighbors within a two-block area were evacuated but were later allowed to return to their homes.  Local residents described the man as a mild-mannered, down-on-his-luck loner who could be inexplicably vindictive at times. "I never felt comfortable around him," said one neighbor. More »

  • Man in Critical Condition After Stay in Ricin Room

    Feb 29, 08 3:05 PM CST
    Man in Critical Condition After Stay in Ricin Room A man who stayed in a Las Vegas hotel room where ricin was found yesterday has been hospitalized for 2 weeks after exposure to the toxin and is in critical condition, CNN reports. A friend retrieving his belongings discovered the ricin. "We don't know who it belongs to or why it would be here at this time," said a police captain. More »

  • 'Terror Toxin' Found in Vegas

    Feb 29, 08 6:58 AM CST
    'Terror Toxin' Found in Vegas Las Vegas police have discovered the deadly toxin ricin at a long-stay hotel, CNN reports. It's "100% ricin," said a police official. "We did have enough ricin to be concerned. At this point, it has been contained and is not a threat to anybody." Three policemen,
    three hotel workers, and another person are in a local hospital under observation for signs of ricin poisoning. So far, they're fine. More »

The Extended Stay America hotel is shown in Las Vegas on Thursday, March 6, 2008. The deadly toxin ricin was found at the hotel last month in Roger Bergendorff's room.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Castor seeds can be used to make ricin.   (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli)
This undated picture provided by the FBI shows a vial the agency says contains ricin.   (AP Photo/FBI)
Nevada health official Lawrence Sands speaks during a news conference in Las Vegas. Police found large quantities of the deadly toxin ricin at a motel where Roger Bergendorff had been living.   (AP Photo/ Marlene Karas)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

FBI  • Las Vegas  • Nevada  • biological weapons  • suspected terrorists  • toxin  • ricin  • Roger Bergendorff  • Poison


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Crime & Courts Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »