Alleged 'Bishop' pipe bomber to give own closing - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Alleged 'Bishop' pipe bomber to give own closing

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CHICAGO (AP) -

A former Iowa letter carrier will deliver his own closing at his trial on allegations he sent dud pipe bombs to investment advisers.

Before closing arguments Thursday in a Chicago federal court, John Tomkins could also call himself to take the stand.

The 47-year-old represents himself and speaks about himself in the third person.

Prosecutors say Tomkins sent letters threatening to kill people unless they took steps to raise stock prices of corporations he invested in. Some were signed "The Bishop." Packages included notes reading, "BANG! YOU'RE DEAD."

In his opening, Tomkins admitted to jurors he mailed threatening letters, saying about himself: "Hold him accountable for what he did." But he denies the more serious accusation of mailing bombs that could have detonated.

Tomkins has been in custody since 2007.

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