New charge added in student ricin case

By: Associated Press//December 11, 2014//

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Kyle Smith (AP Photo/Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student accused of trying to make the deadly toxin ricin now faces a federal charge that carries a potential life sentence.

Kyle Smith pleaded not guilty Thursday to two federal charges.

WLUK-TV reports the new charge alleges Smith knowingly developed and possessed a toxin for use as a weapon — a charge that carries a maximum life sentence upon conviction. The earlier charge alleges Smith possessed ricin, which carries a 10-year maximum sentence.

A grand jury returned the indictment late Wednesday after a federal judge last month found probable that Smith knowingly possessed ricin.

Smith was arrested Oct. 31 when Oshkosh police cordoned off the neighborhood around his off-campus house after getting a tip from the university.

Smith’s attorney has argued Smith never intended to use ricin for harm anyone.

Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

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