Accused pipe bomber pleads innocent

Associated Press WriterCEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- The college student accused of planting pipe bombs in Iowa and four other states pleaded innocent Friday during arraignment in federal court.

Luke Helder smiled briefly Friday as he entered the courtroom, in contrast to his tired, somber appearance during his last court date in May.

The 21-year-old made a 10-minute appearance before Magistrate John Jarvey and then was quickly escorted back to the Linn County Jail. Jarvey scheduled a Sept. 16 trial date.

Helder is accused of putting 18 pipe bombs and anti-government letters in mailboxes in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. His cross-country odyssey ended near Reno, Nev., where he was arrested May 7.

Helder was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Iowa.

He is charged with using a pipe bomb to destroy Delores Werling's mailbox in rural Tipton on May 3; a conviction could bring up to 40 years in prison. He also is charged with using a bomb in a crime of violence; a conviction on that charge carries a sentence of up life in prison.

Werling, 70, was injured in the face and arms by flying shards of metal when the bomb went off. She also suffered some hearing loss.

The judge ordered Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Berry to prepare a plan for gathering all paperwork and investigatory material related the case from federal and state law enforcement agencies

Six pipe bombs exploded in Iowa and Illinois, injuring four letter carriers and two residents.

Berry told the court that a significant amount of the discovery material would be made available to Helder's attorney, public defender Jane Kelly, early next week.

Kelly said there was so much material to go through, she had no problem waiving a speedy trial.

"This is not a usual case and may need some additional time," she said.

Neither Berry nor Kelly would comment after the arraignment.

Helder's parents, who live in Pine Island, Minn., did not attend the hearing.