Georgetown student charged with possession of ricin possibly inspired by 'Breaking Bad'

A Georgetown University student charged with possession of ricin last week may have learned about the deadly poison from AMC's Breaking Bad.

Daniel Harry Milzman, 19, was able to produce the biological toxin in his dorm room and was turned in to police by a friend. According to court papers, the friend told authorities that Milzman was "definitely a threat to someone."

Milzman may have also gotten information about ricin while he was a member of his high school quiz bowl team.

The U.S. District Court documents allege that Milzman "used his considerable intelligence and skills" to produce the poison and "engaged in some of the most nefarious and calculating behavior imaginable."

The college sophomore’s lawyer was able to convince Judge John M. Facciola that Milzman would be better served with treatment rather than incarceration.

“He was tortured. He was having a hard time in his life. He was a scared 19-year-old kid,” defense attorney Danny Onorato told the court. According to Onorato, the ricin was “not intended for anyone other than himself.”

Facciola ordered that Milzman be released to an in-patient psychiatric program at Sibley Hospital.

[Washington Post] [DCist]