Washington state man convicted of making deadly ricin

AP ^ | July 17, 2003 | JOHN K. WILEY

[Cultural Jihad]

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Jurors convicted a computer engineer Thursday of making and possessing ricin, a deadly poison the government considers a biological weapon.

The federal jury deliberated for about two hours before finding Kenneth Olsen guilty. Each count carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

[livius]

Olsen was researching how to make essential oils, such as castor oil, for a new career as a massage therapist

Ricin massages! Somehow, I just don't think they're going to catch on...

[Support Free Republic]

Hi Mom!

[Dead Corpse]

Defense attorney Tina Hunt said the government's case was based on fantasies and assumptions and did not prove Olsen intended to kill anyone.

One does not make 3 grams of ricin accidentally.

Olsen's searches of Web sites on how to make untraceable poisons and kill people were "irresponsible, foolish, curiosity that would kill a cat ... but not illegal," she said.

Curiosity is looking up the info on HOW to do this stuff. Actually MAKING it and storing it in your locker at work is a whole 'nuther ball game.

[Revelation 911]

a "bio weapon" - Hmm I thought it was a neurotoxin

[Chancellor Palpatine]

!

That is spooky as all hell.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

!

[DannyTN]

"The former Scoutmaster has been jailed without bond since his arrest in June 2002. His sentencing is scheduled Oct. 14."

What's up with the Scout's.

Not exactly helping little old ladies across the street any more. First the gays not terrorist scout masters.

[Technogeeb]

Ricin massages! Somehow, I just don't think they're going to catch on...

It depends on whether or not he was going to further process it. Ricin can be (and usually is) used to make undecylenic acid, which makes a very effective antifungal agent of an oily nature useful for foot massages.

I have no idea if Olsen had more sinister motives, but the fact is that manufacture and possession of ricin can be quite legitimate (stupid laws to the contrary notwithstanding).

[Right Wing Professor]

Ricin can be (and usually is) used to make undecylenic acid, which makes a very effective antifungal agent of an oily nature useful for foot massages.

Thanks for the ping, CP.

Ricin is a protein, and cannot be used to make undecylenic acid. It has no uses unrelated to its toxicity; the only benign use is as an experimental anticancer agent.

the fact is that manufacture and possession of ricin can be quite legitimate

This poster may be confusing ricin with the parent castor bean plant, from which castor oil and ultimately ricinoleic acid can be extracted

[Technogeeb]

This poster may be confusing ricin with the parent castor bean plant, from which castor oil and ultimately ricinoleic acid can be extracted

Doh! Yeah, you're right (although my "ultimately" was undecylenic acid synthesized from the ricinoleic acid"). The comment in the story of "Olsen was researching how to make essential oils" made me think of the wrong castor bean extract.