The man accused of sending poisonous ricin to President Obama and two other public officials is trying to take his guilty plea back.
According to The Clarion-Ledger, James Everett Dutschke of Tupelo, Miss. changed his plea from innocent to guilty in January for sending ricin-laced letters. Then, during his sentencing Tuesday, Dutschke tried to change his plea back to innocent.
"James Everett Dutschke originally pleaded guilty to sending the tainted letters. He was to be sentenced today, but the sentencing has been pushed back." (Via WLOX)
WTVA reports Dutschke displayed some pretty odd behavior in court Tuesday. "[Dutschke] denied mailing any letters and said it was not a crime to buy a computer. He also accused two prosecutors of perjury. ... He accused the media of reporting the lies of the prosecution."
At one point, Dutschke reportedly told the presiding judge he was so confident there was no evidence against him, he'd take the substance in the letters, put it all in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and eat it.
In April 2013, someone mailed letters to President Obama, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, and a Mississippi court judge containing the deadly poison ricin. (Via Fox News)
Originally, authorities believed a man named Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator, was to blame. But, after arresting him and searching his home, authorities released Curtis and set their sights on Dutschke. (Via WJLA)
In an odd twist, authorities say Dutschke actually tried to frame Curtis by using language in the letters that Curtis used on his Facebook page like "I am KC and I approve this message." (Via CBS)
Dutschke was arrested about two weeks after the letters were originally sent. (Via CNN)
He was supposed to receive his sentencing Tuesday, but due to him rescinding his confession, the judge has pushed that back. There's no word yet on when that may restart.
