Woman Accused in Ricin Case to Undergo Psych Exam

TEXARKANA (AP) — A Texas woman accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an attempt to frame her husband will undergo a psychological evaluation. U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven on Thursday ordered that Shannon Richardson (pictured) undergo the exam after her court-appointed attorney, Tonda Curry, requested it. Curry said in a court motion that she had observed “a pattern of behavior” that made her wonder if Richardson can assist with her defense.

Richardson has been jailed without bond since her arrest June 7 on a charge of mailing a threatening communication to the president. The government alleges Richardson was trying to pin the crime on her estranged husband. Richardson did not speak at Thursday’s hearing. She appeared in an orange jumpsuit with her hands shackled.