'Anthrax Cop' to be reinstated

(subscription required)

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/49_126/news/5610-1.html

Pickett Will Be Reinstated

By Suzanne Nelson
Roll Call Staff

May 18, 2004

After more than two years of legal proceedings, the Capitol Police officer who left a powdery substance at his post shortly after anthrax was found in Senate offices is set to return to his job.

A well-placed source indicated that Chief Terrance Gainer could make the decision as early as today.

A spokesman for the Capitol Police said the department doesn’t discuss “internal personnel matters.” But indications that Gainer intends to reinstate James Pickett were confirmed by the first and second vice chairmen of the Capitol Police Labor Committee, which has pushed hard for his return since a federal appeals court overturned his conviction four months ago.

(snip)

Shortly after a letter containing anthrax was sent to Capitol Hill that October, Pickett left a note and the contents of an Equal sweetener packet at his post in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel. The note read: “Please inhale. Yes this could be? Call your doctor for flu symptoms. This is a Capitol Police training exercize ! I hope you pass!”

The police spent 430 hours and $14,000 investigating the case and preparing for trial, according to the prosecutor, and representatives from the internal affairs division and the general counsel’s office were present throughout.

...more...

Color me stunned.

I don't even know where to begin to respond to this. Just *blink*

I guess it's a good thing he's likely not permitted to follow the news.

If he saw this shit, he'd be so mad....

Is he still in jail?

Just saying...