Jurors to deliberate in ‘Bishop’ bomber trial

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations at the trial of a former Iowa letter carrier accused of sending dud pipe bombs to investment advisers.

Friday is the first day jurors will have a chance to go through evidence against John Tomkins, who represented himself during his trial. On Thursday, Tomkins called himself to the stand and apologized for his shaky grasp of the law. He delivered his own closing in the third person.

He admitted he sent threatening letters and fake bombs in a scheme to boost the values of stocks he owned. But he insisted he designed them so they wouldn’t explode.

Tomkins is charged with mailing threatening communications, illegal possession of a destructive device and using a destructive device in connection with a crime of violence.