Preparations continue for trial in ricin case

GREEN BAY - A panel of 70 prospective jurors will be called in the case of a man accused of possessing ricin, should the case go to trial.Kyle Smith, 21, faces two counts: knowingly developing and possessing ricin for use as a weapon, and having ricin not in its naturally occurring form and not for a reasonable purpose. The first count carries maximum penalty of life in prison, while the second count has a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.A trial in federal court is scheduled to start March 16. William Kerner, Smith's attorney, said during a hearing Thursday that prosecutors have a made a plea agreement offer, according to court records. However, Kerner has not reviewed the draft plea agreement with Smith.Also at the hearing, Judge William Griesbach ruled on which portions of the videotaped interview Smith did with Oshkosh Police will be allowed to be shown to the jury.According to a criminal complaint, Oshkosh police and the Wisconsin National Guard found 1 1/2 grams of ricin in Smith’s apartment on Halloween.