Evidence Against Anthrax Scientist Is Mostly Circumstantial
The government scientist who killed himself before he could be indicted in the 2001 anthrax attacks was linked to the crime by the DNA of an anthrax strain he handled at a government laboratory.
Anthrax spores were found on a bookcase and several other locations in or near the office of scientist Bruce Ivins, as well as a men’s changing area, the Wall Street Journal reports. Critics say the findings, chronicled in a May 2002 report, should have raised suspicions at the time.
The DNA evidence is part of a largely circumstantial case against Ivins, the New York Times reports. Ivins spent much time after hours in his lab in Fort Detrick, Md., before the anthrax-laced letters were mailed, the Times story says. The envelopes used were traced to three Maryland post offices, including one often used by Ivins, an anymous source told the Times.
At least 10 people had access to the flask that was linked to the anthrax attacks, however. There is no evidence that Ivins visited New Jersey when the letters containing the anthrax were believed to be mailed from a mail box in Princeton, the story says.
Ivins was a co-inventor on two patents for an anthrax vaccine and would have collected royalties if the product had reached the market, the Los Angeles Times reports. A biotech company that was authorized to provide the vaccine had its federal contract canceled when it was not able to produce the batches on schedule.
Ivins did not leave a suicide note, and his lawyer says he was innocent.
