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FBI: DNA collected in probe of violent animal rights protests in Santa Cruz (Mercury News)
appeared in the mercury news and the santa cruz sentinel, as well as other papers
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10787283
FBI: DNA collected in probe of violent animal rights protests in Santa Cruz
By Jennifer Squires - Sentinel staff writer
Article Launched: 10/22/2008 04:41:05 PM PDT
SANTA CRUZ - FBI officials confirmed Wednesday they collected DNA evidence from at least two suspects in the attacks on UC Santa Cruz researchers earlier this year, but declined to speak further about the investigation.
"As soon as there's something we can say - as soon as we have something to say - we'll definitely make that public," FBI spokesman Joe Schadler said.
No suspects have been named in the attacks, which included a home invasion protest at the Westside home of a UCSC researcher in February and two firebombings in July. The arsons targeted one researcher's vehicle and another researcher's home.
The DNA collection occurred earlier this month and involved at least two suspects, according to the FBI. Schadler would not say which attacks those people were suspected in or how they were linked to the attacks.
Schadler also declined to address rumors that a federal grand jury would be convened in San Francisco this month and said there is no timeline for the investigation to conclude.
"It's just kind of the way it goes with an investigation. Things go on in the background for a long time generally," Schadler said. "You can't anticipate how many people need to be interviewed (or) what leads will pop up."
Santa Cruz police been in contact with FBI about the investigation but referred all questions back to federal authorities.
"We're aware of the progress we're making in the case, including the DNA," Santa Cruz police Capt.
Steve Clark said.
No arrests have been made but one man, Nathan Pope, who also goes by Nathan Knoerl, was arrested by federal authorities in August on suspicion of perjury, an accusation that surfaced during the investigation into the animal rights attacks.
Pope has lived in a Riverside Avenue house that was twice raided during the ongoing investigation into violent animal rights protests. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released from County Jail on his own recognizance in September. Pope is scheduled to go to trial on the perjury charge Dec. 15.
Schadler declined to say if Pope was one of the people from whom DNA was collected.
Contact Jennifer Squires at 429-2449 or jsquires [at] santacruzsentinel.com.
FBI: DNA collected in probe of violent animal rights protests in Santa Cruz
By Jennifer Squires - Sentinel staff writer
Article Launched: 10/22/2008 04:41:05 PM PDT
SANTA CRUZ - FBI officials confirmed Wednesday they collected DNA evidence from at least two suspects in the attacks on UC Santa Cruz researchers earlier this year, but declined to speak further about the investigation.
"As soon as there's something we can say - as soon as we have something to say - we'll definitely make that public," FBI spokesman Joe Schadler said.
No suspects have been named in the attacks, which included a home invasion protest at the Westside home of a UCSC researcher in February and two firebombings in July. The arsons targeted one researcher's vehicle and another researcher's home.
The DNA collection occurred earlier this month and involved at least two suspects, according to the FBI. Schadler would not say which attacks those people were suspected in or how they were linked to the attacks.
Schadler also declined to address rumors that a federal grand jury would be convened in San Francisco this month and said there is no timeline for the investigation to conclude.
"It's just kind of the way it goes with an investigation. Things go on in the background for a long time generally," Schadler said. "You can't anticipate how many people need to be interviewed (or) what leads will pop up."
Santa Cruz police been in contact with FBI about the investigation but referred all questions back to federal authorities.
"We're aware of the progress we're making in the case, including the DNA," Santa Cruz police Capt.
Steve Clark said.
No arrests have been made but one man, Nathan Pope, who also goes by Nathan Knoerl, was arrested by federal authorities in August on suspicion of perjury, an accusation that surfaced during the investigation into the animal rights attacks.
Pope has lived in a Riverside Avenue house that was twice raided during the ongoing investigation into violent animal rights protests. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released from County Jail on his own recognizance in September. Pope is scheduled to go to trial on the perjury charge Dec. 15.
Schadler declined to say if Pope was one of the people from whom DNA was collected.
Contact Jennifer Squires at 429-2449 or jsquires [at] santacruzsentinel.com.
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