August 7, 1995
From CNN Correspondent Gary Tuchman
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (CNN) -- Timothy Mcveigh's attorney says he may have evidence that his client is not the real bomber. The evidence, a severed leg found in the rubble, is the subject of a mystery.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiners officer revealed today that a little over a week after the implosion of the Oklahoma City Federal Building, recovery workers discovered a severed leg and foot of a bombing victim. On the foot, a military-style boot.
Now, more than two months later, the leg has still not been matched to any of the known victims. But this information was only released after accused bomber Timothy McVeigh's attorney found out about the leg, and raised the possibility it belonged to someone he refers to as a real bomber who died in the blast.
McVeigh's Attorney Stephen Jones says, "The government's position has always been my client was wrong. Well, this doesn't disprove that, but it certainly raises troubling questions and I dare say that a large number of the public and press will be surprised to know that this information has been withheld."
The medical examiner's office says that is an unfair charge. Officials say the leg is among many unidentified body parts recovered from the Murrah Building that are still being identified. Among rescue officials, there is strong skepticism the leg belongs to someone involved in the bombing plot. Jon Hansen, Oklahoma City Assistant Fire Chief: "I don't think this is anything other than just another body part that has been damaged in the bombing. As far as speculating on this as to another person, there's nothing at this point to lead us to believe it."
Rescue workers say nothing should be read into a body part not being identified with a known victim because of the state of many of the victim's bodies. Hansen says, "I don't find anything very odd about it. We just hope an identity can be made so that a family member or whomever it is can find out a part of their loved one has been found."
The medical examiner's office says the leg speciment reveals the individual to be light skinned, dark haired, probably less than 30 years of age, and probably male.
A grand jury is expected to indict Timothy McVeigh and fellow suspect Terry Nichols on federal terrorism charges as early as Wednesday or Thursday. But McVeigh's attorney is asking for the indictment to be delayed, while the leg matter is being investigated.
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