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Case Against Ivins Looking Thin

FBI evidence full of holes and contradictions

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2008 5:54 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The FBI's case against alleged anthrax killer Bruce Ivins is full of gaps and contradictions, Newsweek reports. Ivins is said to have sent anthrax to NBC's Tom Brokaw—but was retaliating against a reporter at ABC. He also passed a polygraph in the probe and had no anthrax in his cars, clothing, or home. "I'd say the vast majority" of his ex-colleagues "think he had nothing to do with it," a former supervisor said.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeffrey Taylor called Justice officials "confident" that Ivins was "the only person responsible for these attacks"—but Congress will likely review the case. "There are clearly a lot of unanswered questions," said Iowa GOP Sen. Charles Grassley, who has called for a full investigation into the Ivins evidence.

This undated image attached to an email sent Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001 by Bruce Ivins shows Ivins handling cultures of the now infamous 'Ames' strain of Bacillus anthracis.
This undated image attached to an email sent Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001 by Bruce Ivins shows Ivins handling "cultures of the now infamous 'Ames' strain of Bacillus anthracis."   (AP Photo)
This document released by the Department of Justice on Aug. 6, 2008, shows a copy of the search warrant that was issued on Oct. 31, 2007, for a search of army scientist Bruce Ivins home.
This document released by the Department of Justice on Aug. 6, 2008, shows a copy of the search warrant that was issued on Oct. 31, 2007, for a search of army scientist Bruce Ivins home.   (AP Photo/Department of Justice)
This 2003 photo provided by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases shows Dr. Bruce E. Ivins participating in an awards ceremony.
This 2003 photo provided by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases shows Dr. Bruce E. Ivins participating in an awards ceremony.   (AP Photo)
Hazmat personnel walk down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, after finding suspicious bottles and a note reading Do you know what anthrax is?
Hazmat personnel walk down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, after finding suspicious bottles and a note reading "Do you know what anthrax is?"   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, FILE)
Bruce E. Ivins, a biodefense researcher is seen in 2003, at Fort Detrick, Md.
Bruce E. Ivins, a biodefense researcher is seen in 2003, at Fort Detrick, Md.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
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Case was strong, but likely not strong enough
Frederick News Post

Plenty of open questions
New York Times

A big hole in the case
Salon

 
FBI • crime • court cases • anthrax • Tom Brokaw • Bruce Ivins

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