Suspect Named in Ricin-Mailing Case
The FBI arrested a suspect on Wednesday, April 17, whom they believe mailed letters to President Obama and Senator Roger Wicker, which were shown to contain the poison ricin in a preliminary test.
The suspect is Paul Kevin Curtis from Corinth, Miss. He appeared in court the night of Thursday, April 19 and denies all accusations. Curtis, 45, is an Elvis impersonator and was once hired by Senator Wicker to perform at a party.
Both letters contained the phrase, “To see a wrong and not expose it, is to become a silent partner to its continuance,” and are signed, “I am KC and I approve this message,” as reported by CNN.
The letters were shown to contain the poison, ricin, although more tests are being conducted. Ricin is a natural toxic substance that results from processing castor beans. Less than a pinpoint can be fatal, although it is not always. The poison shuts down the circulatory and respiratory systems within 48 hours, as reported by CNN.com.
Kevin Randolph is a freshman at Bloomsburg University majoring in Mass Communications on the Journalism Track.
