Bail delayed in deadly fish toxin case

ROCKFORD _ A federal judge in Rockford has delayed setting bail for a Lake in the Hills man indicted on ten counts of unlawfully acquiring and possessing a deadly puffer fish toxin.

Judge Frederick J. Kapala decided Friday that he wanted to read transcripts that outline alleged unpredictable behavior from 35-year-old Edward F. Bachner IV before making a decision on the suspect's release.

Defense attorneys say Bachner poses no flight risk. He was indicted in August and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.

Officials allege Bachner obtained the toxin, called tetrodotoxin (teht-treh-doh-TAHKS'-ihn), five times between November 2006 and June. The toxin is 1,200 times deadlier than cyanide.