Anthrax suit aided by mental illness

PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Reports of mental illness suffered by a U.S. anthrax researcher have boosted the outlook for a Florida attorney suing the federal government.

Richard Schuler's $50 million lawsuit in the 2001 anthrax death of a tabloid photo editor may be aided by news that scientist Bruce Ivins may have suffered from paranoid delusions, The Palm Beach Post reported Sunday.

"To put a guy that mentally unstable in charge of these substances makes me shudder," Schuler said. "But it strengthens our case. It shows the security was bad."

Florida law requires any laboratory involved with ultra-hazardous materials to protect members of the general public by avoiding an unauthorized interception and dissemination of the materials.

Schuler expects his case on behalf of Bob Stevens' family to be able to use new FBI information alleging that Ivins was responsible for mailing a series of anthrax-laced letters that took the lives of five people, including Stevens. Schuler also believes the case could force an airing of government evidence against Ivins, who committed suicide July 29 after being informed of murder charges being filed against him.