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Sam Penrod ReportingA threatening letter with a white powder interrupted business today at the State Board of Pardons. That group decides when to parole inmates from and that's where the suspicious letter came from.
The letter did not turn out to be serious; however, it was very threatening, saying, "If the anthrax doesn't kill you, I will."
Firefighters, hazardous materials crews and police all surrounded the State Board of Pardons building this afternoon. It was what was inside of this letter that caused a lot of commotion.
Jim Hatch, State Board of Pardons: "We received a letter from a maximum security inmate that, when our receptionist opened the letter, some powder came out."
HAZ MAT teams were able to use new technology to quickly discover exactly what the white substance was.
Batt. Chief Randy Willden, Murray Fire Dept: "Well, at this time it looks like Arm and Hammer baking soda."
When it was clear the situation was safe, that's when the investigation into who sent the letter began.
Jim Hatch, State Board of Pardons: "We're not sure the person who addressed the letter put their own name on it; we don't know for sure who sent it. The person's name who was on the letter has a history of making threats to law enforcement officials."
Tonight, the investigation is centered at the state prison. What makes it difficult for the Board of Pardons is that prisoners are constantly sending letters to them, in almost all cases asking for parole.
Jim Hatch, State Board of Pardons: "We receive correspondence from inmates every day virtually, and so it's normal for us to receive correspondence from offenders like that."
So whether the prisoner who sent the letter was recently denied parole or not is still not clear, although it is a safe bet they may face new charges and certainly won't be getting a letter from the board of pardons anytime soon, informing them they are getting out of prison for good behavior.
