Ted Kaczynski's DNA Sought By Court In Connection to 1982 Tylenol Poisoning Case

There are several surprising things here.

First, apparently the feds don't simply routinely, as a matter of legal right, just take DNA samples from all prisoners.

Huh? I would think that if you're in jail for a major crime that should be automatic. I guess maybe they have it on file but it can only be shared via a court order? That makes sense I guess.

Second, Ted Kaczynski offered to give his DNA to the Tylenol serial poisoning investigators, and all he wanted in return was for his personal effects -- probably about $300 worth of crap -- not be auctioned off, as the Court had ruled.

Huh? Why? Why not get the DNA? Usually such statements are contingent upon the information forwarding a case and being true. I guess they just suspected that he didn't have anything to do with it, so the DNA wasn't all that important, " " so they told him to blow.

But still... this is a major unsolved case. All for the few thousands a serial killer's crap might get you at auction from some weirdos? (His manifesto, the most important objet d'psycho, is only fetching a few thousand bucks.)

I'm not sure how to read his refusal for denial.

Is he hinting he's involved?

Or, as the investigators must have thought, is he attempting to bluff them into giving him what he wants (his stupid personal effects kept from auction) by hinting around a connection to the Tylenol murders that doesn't exist?

"I have never even possessed any potassium cyanide," he wrote. "But, even on the assumption that the FBI is entirely honest (an assumption I'm unwilling to make), partial DNA profiles can throw suspicion on person who are entirely innocent."

Kaczynski asserted that if he is a suspect and his DNA profile is related to the 1982 killings, "some of the evidence seized from my cabin in 1986 may turn out to be important," apparently referring to some of the objects up for auction.

Eh, right now they're getting a court order. I can't think of many good reasons why he shouldn't be compelled to give up some DNA.

Thanks to rdbrewer.

posted by Ace at 04:26 PM

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