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American Morning

FBI Circulating Photo Resembling Anthrax Suspect

Aired August 14, 2002 - 07:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Law enforcement sources telling CNN the FBI is circulating a photograph in a Princeton, New Jersey neighborhood. The photo is being shown in an area, where a mailbox has tested for positive for anthrax. Authorities suspect some of the anthrax-laced letters were mailed from there.
Jeanne Meserve this morning tracking the latest in Washington with more.

Jeanne -- good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Investigators are circulating that photo that -- quote -- "looks an awful lot like Dr. Steven Hatfill" around a portion of Princeton, New Jersey; that, according to two law enforcement sources and eyewitnesses.

Hatfill is a former U.S. Army scientist and bioweapons expert, who government sources have said is one of about 20 people being looked at in connection with the anthrax attacks that killed five last October.

Canvassing with the photo started last Friday, after preliminary testing on a mailbox in Princeton came up positive for anthrax. Further testing is currently being done on the mailbox to try to determine if it is where some of the anthrax letters were mailed.

John Truby (ph), a financial consultant in Princeton, says the FBI showed him the photo Tuesday, and asked him and his coworkers whether they recognized the man. They did not, but Truby (ph) says an agent confirmed to him that it was Hatfill.

Hatfill made an impassioned statement Sunday proclaiming his innocence in the anthrax attacks -- Bill.

HEMMER: Jeanne Meserve in Washington -- thank you, Jeanne.

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