Quotes from FBI, defense attorneys

Saturday, Feb. 21, 1998 | 3:25 a.m.

Comments by the FBI and attorneys Saturday on the finding that material seized from Larry Wayne Harris and William Leavitt in Henderson was harmless anthrax vaccine:

"The analysis showed the existence of traces of harmless anthrax used as a veterinary vaccine. The traces of anthrax lacked the DNA material that would cause the bacteria to form spores and as a result is not a toxic pathogen and would not be considered a toxic material. Scientists said it is not possible for such material to be transformed into toxic substances that would spread anthrax to humans." - FBI statement.

"We didn't rely totally on Mr. Rockwell. We had more than one witness. It would have been irresponsible if we didn't act on that information." - Bobby L. Siller, special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas office, commenting on informant Ronald Rockwell.

"There is no reason for anyone to be concerned about any contaminants in this area or any area that I'm aware of." - Siller.

"We're grateful that the right thing has happened here and that our client, Bill, has been exonerated. It's hard to say if this was a deal gone bad. Why he (Rockwell) would do this I have no idea. I'm hoping we will find out." - Kirby Wells, attorney for William Leavitt.

"These charges are going to have be dismissed. ... They charged him with possession of the anthrax that can be used for weapons. That's always been foolishness. It's foolish now, they don't have the case they thought they had." - Lamond Mills, also an attorney for Leavitt.

"I just hope that they just don't now in order to save face or something, give us a cockamamie charge that they want to lay on Bill Leavitt." - Mills.

"What I hear about Mr. (Ronald) Rockwell, he's got his own problem. He is far from a credible witness." - Mills.

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