LOS ANGELES (AP) A jury acquitted a 62-year-old man of charges
that he sent phony ``anthrax'' letters which caused a scare at two
elementary schools.
The Superior Court jury deliberated for two days before
returning the verdict Thursday in favor of Stanley Chester
Jaroszenski.
Judge Michael Pastor ordered Jaroszenski to be released from
custody after the jury's decision. A county jail clerk said he was
released Friday.
The charges involved an envelope sent to Main Street School in
March and another sent to Norwood Elementary School, said Deputy
District Attorney Marcia Daniel.
When Jaroszenski was arrested, authorities said he allegedly
sent threatening letters to dozens of schools, police departments,
banks and corporations over a several week period.
The envelopes often contained photocopies of military weapons on
the front and had ``anthrax'' and other words written in red felt
marker on the back.
None of the envelopes contained any anthrax or other dangerous
substances.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)