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Defense: FBI’s Tests On Ricin Were Unreliable, Shouldn’t be Allowed in Court
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com An Ohio man charged with creating the deadly toxin ricin is arguing that the FBI’s tests on the white powder found in his home were faulty, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The defense team for Jeff Boyd Levenderis, 65, argued during an evidentiary hearing Tuesday that the FBI’s findings were unreliable and…
Former Detroit U.S. Attorney Roy Hayes Dies at 73
By Allan Lengel Deadline Detroit DETROIT –– Roy C. (Joe) Hayes was one of those U.S. Attorneys who took the job seriously, but seemed to enjoy what he did while keeping a pretty good sense of humor about him. I got to know Joe when I was a reporter at the Detroit News covering the…
Investigators Baffled by Discovery of 4 Dry Ice Bombs at Los Angeles Airport
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Authorities are dumbfounded after more dry ice explosions at a Los Angeles Airport on Monday night, the Los Angeles Times reports. Investigators are trying to determine how someone placed four dry ice bombs – two of which detonated – at restricted areas. The devices apparently were found outside the terminal near planes, according…
FBI’s Facial-Recognition Technology Could Fail Up to 20% of the Time
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI has said its facial-recognition technology is a critical component of fighting the war on terror and other serious threats. But new records indicate the technology could fail 20% of the time, the National Journal reports. “An innocent person may become part of an investigation because the technology isn’t completely accurate,”…
NSA Collecting E-Mail, IM Contacts in Worldwide Surveillance Program
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The NSA is collecting e-mail and instant messaging contacts from people worldwide in an attempt to keep an eye on relationships that suspects have with others, the USA Today reported. The idea is to identify any troubling relationships. “You need the haystack to find the needle,” said Gen. Keith B. Alexander, NSA…
West Virginia Homeland Security Officer Critically Shot at Home Near Charleston
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The training coordinator for the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security was shot in the chest and was in critical condition as of late Monday, the West Virginia Gazette reports. Frank Kennedy was found at his home near Charleston where he apparently shot himself intentionally. Kennedy underwent surgery Sunday night and remained…
Border Patrol Agents Continue to Work With Less Pay
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Border Patrol agents will begin receiving smaller paychecks because of the government shutdown, the Monitor reports. “It’s going to have a severe negative impact because people still have to pay bills,” said Agent Paul Perez, president of National Border Patrol Council Local 3307, the sector union. “Unless their creditors are willing to…
FBI Increases Number of Digital Billboards Along Highways Nationwide
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI’s digital billboard program started as a one-city pilot in Philadelphia in 2007 and exploded into 3,200 locations nationwide today, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. The increase is due to the program’s success, the FBI said. “We reach a wider audience,” said FBI Special Agent Barbara Woodruff, a spokeswoman for the Newark…