Family backs fish toxin murder suspect as he claims innocence

With the wife he stands accused of plotting to murder sitting in court behind him, Edward Bachner this morning formally denied new allegations he concocted a complicated scheme to kill his spouse with a rare and deadly toxin and collect as much as $23 million from her death.

Bachner, 36, of Lake in the Hills, was greeted warmly by family members, including his wife, when he appeared in U.S. District Court in Rockford for arraignment on a new indictment handed up by a grand jury earlier this week.

At one point during the brief proceedings Bachner mouthed, "I love you," to the wife authorities say he planned to murder less than a year ago, a sentiment she later reciprocated out loud. Another family member held up a sign reading "We (heart) you!"

Family members declined to comment afterward, but Bachner's attorney said his client is grateful for their backing.

He's very appreciative of their support, as am I," defense lawyer James Marcus said. "You obviously know that it's real."

Marcus declined to comment on the new charges against his client, which claim he falsified three years of tax returns, fraudulently obtained more than $23 million in life insurance in his wife's name and then set out last year to collect enough Tetrodotoxin, a lethal poison obtained from the puffer fish, to kill her.

The alleged plot came to an end June 30, 2008. The FBI arrested him when he picked up a shipment of the toxin he had obtained by posing as a doctor performing medical research. A subsequent search of his home in the 5700 block of McKenzie Drive, authorities said, discovered 45 full or partially full vials of the toxin along with evidence he had obtained at least 19 more vials that were missing.

Agents also found a handgun, more than 50 knives, five garrotes, a phony CIA badge, a precursor to the poison Ricin and books on how to poison people, make gun silencers and hand-to-hand combat, an assistant U.S. Attorney said.

The indictment alleges Bachner also attempted to hire someone to kill his wife in 2005. Previous court documents detailed an incident about that time in which Bachner, according to federal investigators, tried to hire someone via a white supremacist Web site to murder his wife. FBI agents spoke with Bachner after discovering the plot, but charges were not filed at the time.

Bachner, who has been in federal custody at the Ogle County jail since his arrest last June, could face up to life in prison if convicted on the new indictment. He is due back in court Aug. 6 for a pretrial status hearing.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=300981">Puffer fish suspect indicted on murder plot charges <span class="date">[06/16/09]</span></a></li> </ul> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/bachnerindictment.pdf">Indictment of Edward Bachner</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>