Officials say "dirty bomb" materials no threat
2/11/09 | 16 comments
update

Officials say "dirty bomb" materials no threat


By BDN Staff
BDN Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine - Responding to a Bangor Daily News story about an FBI report stating that James G. Cummings, who was shot and killed in his Belfast home Dec. 9, had the ingredients in the home to make a “dirty bomb,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said today that “at no time was the health and safety of the public at risk from the items seized from the home of a Belfast man in December.”

Commissioner Anne Jordan said in a press release that “‘There have been two phases of the investigation following the shooting. The homicide continues to be investigated by Maine State Police, and the investigation into the seized materials was overseen by the FBI. A haz-mat team from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection was called to the home the night of the homicide to remove a number of items from inside the home. An assessment that night by members of the haz-mat team indicated the home was safe for State Police detectives to enter and conduct their homicide investigation after the materials had been removed. In addition, detectives felt it was appropriate that the FBI be contacted.

“‘I've been told by federal officials that the items seized could be purchased legally and that there was not sufficient quantity or quality to pose an immediate threat or hazard to the health and safety of the public,’” Jordan continued. “‘The homicide investigation by State Police remains active and open.’”

State police have identified Cummings’ wife, Amber Cummings, as the person who shot him. The couple's 9-year-old daughter was present the morning of the shooting in what police have described as a domestic violence homicide.

Amber Cummings has not been charged in the case.

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Comments
16 comments on this item
On 2/11/09 at 3:41 PM, madison wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Where the hell do you get your material from BDN? Another story blown way out of context, great job.

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On 2/11/09 at 4:11 PM, mainbad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

A dirty bob would mean that the individual would have to have radioactive material present. Material that would, of course be deadly to humans. I find it hard to believe that could have been the case in the fist place. Madison, you are spot on. Jouranlism in Bangor, Maine? Come now, after all we have a court system without justice, why can't we have a newspaper without journalism!

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On 2/11/09 at 4:32 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

No kidding...

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On 2/11/09 at 5:06 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

word from the coast...Seems the Mendocino Beacon had an article about the case before the BDN holding Cummings in high esteem. Seems Amber has some secrets of her own according to the press . Secrets concerning a handyman who talked to much...

Looks like the feds leaked the case too soon to the BDN and the BDN hopped on it a bit to fast...

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On 2/11/09 at 5:36 PM, vchapes wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well.... it's not BDN's fault actually. Our local paper in Belfast did the same thing. Oh well.

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On 2/11/09 at 5:36 PM, vchapes wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wait... wait... not ENTIRELY their fault.

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On 2/11/09 at 5:46 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Interesting to note that the handyman who spoke to the press said that Cummings was so terrible to work for that he didnt even persue Cummings not paying him ..But I cannot find anywhere the other handyman having talked about the nonpayment and he too helped put in the new kitchen...Enquiring minds want to know....

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On 2/11/09 at 5:48 PM, grayson21 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The paper down here gets their info from the bdn,,, and vice versa,, its whoever comes out with it first,,

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On 2/11/09 at 5:51 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

only one handyman talked

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On 2/11/09 at 6:04 PM, wayback wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

radioactive doesn't mean deadly, it means exposure to the material may be hazardous, it depends on the level of the radioactivity.

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On 2/11/09 at 6:13 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

they did find nazi paraphenalia

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On 2/11/09 at 6:41 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

But then again they called in the federal authorities...Wonder why...anyone out there wonder why the FBI was called in?

Could it possibly be that a mistake was made by the investigative powers or perhaps a wee bit of corruption?

What does one think when they read the article and the comments>

From what i have read I hear two sides one corruption within the government and the other abused wife syndrome...Fact is the victim can't tell his side of the story,,,hes no longer able to speak...

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On 2/11/09 at 7:07 PM, Comnsenz wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I sense that there is a very smart defense attorney involved here. Surely, the muderess must have an attorney. Why hasn't the BDN sought to identify her attorney or report she has none. A good defense attorney will seek to use the media to soften up the jury pool; if she in fact is ever indicted.

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On 2/11/09 at 7:08 PM, Comnsenz wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

murderess (spelling)

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On 2/11/09 at 8:01 PM, Rachael1962 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thats because they are still investigating someone scre-ed up. It hit the paper too soon...You are very bright because her attorney must be phenomenal..

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On 2/13/09 at 9:01 AM, sanssouci wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Come on people! I guess my last comment was not read. Whether or not the radioactive substances were lethal the point is he was constructing a BOMB. Warped minds (terrorists, extremists) only want to make a statement to the population. This guy is dead and he has already made big news! I wonder if this was planned by him also?

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