(3/10/98)
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- The brother of the man wanted in the first fatal bombing of a U.S. abortion clinic has cut off one of his hands, the FBI said.
South Carolina television stations, citing police sources, reported that Daniel Rudolph videotaped himself Sunday intentionally severing a hand with a circular saw.
Jim Rumchak, the agent in charge of the FBI office in Charleston, suggested that he had ``underhanded motives for his actions.'' Police only commented that his was a ``heavy-handed expression''.
``I don't know what was in his mind,'' Rumchak said. ``I have no idea why he would do what he did, and it's certainly unfortunate and regrettable.
``I don't see where our contacts with him would have forced him to have this kind of incident occur. If he decides he needs a helping hand, I'll be the first to give him one.''
Eric Rudolph, 31, is a suspect in the Jan. 29 bombing that killed an off-duty policeman and severely injured a nurse at the New Woman All Women Clinic in Birmingham, Ala. Authorities believe he may be hiding in the forested mountains near his Murphy, N.C., home.
Rumchak said the FBI has discussed Eric Rudolph with his brother, but had no intention to seek him out about the reports of maiming.
Attorney James Bell, who last month said he was representing
the Rudolph family, did not return telephone messages. His
office said without explanation that he no longer represented
the family, only commenting that ``he probably had a hand-
le on the situation.''
The FBI said Daniel Rudolph was a hand-to-mouth carpenter but had few other details on him, including his age, except to note that Rudolph was ``handy around the house.''