Officials say a letter containing a bomb threat and white powder sent to Nashville’s court clerk was from an inmate who was upset because he could no longer smoke in prison.
Inmate angry over smoking ban threatens court clerk’s office
August 7, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Officials say a letter containing a bomb threat and white powder sent to Nashville’s court clerk was from an inmate who was upset because he could no longer smoke in prison.
The Davidson County Chancery Court Clerk and Master’s office was closed for more than an hour yesterday morning after white powder spilled on a clerk when she opened the letter. Officials said the threat turned out to be a hoax.
State trial court administrator Larry Stephenson said the letter came from a Tennessee prison and the writer was angry about not being allowed to smoke. The inmate has not yet been identified.
Prisons across the state instituted no-smoking policies after the state Legislature passed a law last year banning smoking in state buildings.
Stephenson said the powder that spilled on the clerk was harmless and she was sent home to change clothes.
