Unabomber Story Archive

Nov. 16, 1979	Explosion forces jet into emergency landing
June 11, 1980	Package bomb injures United Airlines chief
June 12, 1980	Letter, package bomb had same address, police say
May 16, 1985	Bomb explodes, injuring Berkeley student

Dec. 11, 1985: The First Fatality, Then Silence

Dec. 12, 1985	Mystery blast kills capital merchant
Dec. 20, 1985	Sacramento case linked to 10 others
Dec. 21, 1985	Calls begin after death linked to injuries nationwide
Dec. 25, 1985	Serial bomber's bloody trail has few clues
March 12, 1986	No 'viable suspects' in death of Sacramento man

1993: The Silence Breaks

July 4, 1993	Two blasts end six years of silence
Dec. 12, 1994	Serial bomber killed ad exec
Dec. 13, 1994	Serial bomber may live in north state, FBI says
Dec. 14, 1994	Officials sift through Unabom clues

April 24, 1995: Death Revisits the Capital

April 25, 1995	Timber lobbyist slain in capital
April 25, 1995	Victim called caring, kind
April 25, 1995	Quirk in routine brought bomb, lobbyist together
April 25, 1995	Unabom toll: 3 dead, 2 dozen hurt
April 26, 1995	Unabom probers study letters, phone message
April 26, 1995	Bomb threats, scares persist
April 26, 1995	Editorial: The Unabomber, again
April 26, 1995	Need for speed undermines bomb precautions

The Bomber Turns Brazen

April 27, 1995	Letter taunts professor hurt in '93 blast
April 27, 1995	Journalists see danger of media held hostage
April 28, 1995	Bomber seen as arrogant crusader
April 29, 1995	400 bid farewell to bomb victim
May 5, 1995	Unabom probe looks at capital
May 9, 1995	Unabomber sent note to geneticist
May 11, 1995	Scientist singled out by Unabomber gives talk
May 12, 1995	Many Unabom suspects over the years
May 14, 1995	Unabomber leaves trail of pain, fear
May 16, 1995	Rangers comb Sierra for Unabom test sites
May 18, 1995	Unabomber tragedy spurs teen to help friend
June 29, 1995	Unabom letter: Threat's a 'prank'
June 30, 1995	Bomber mails out renewed demands

A Terrorist's Treatise

July 1, 1995	Editors ponder Unabom ethics
July 2, 1995	Unabom clue seen in note to magazine
July 4, 1995	Unabomber's manifesto sent to criminal expert
July 5, 1995	Many frustrated, professor writes Unabomber
July 6, 1995	Post office clears air shipment of parcels
July 7, 1995	Unabomber on Sacramento video?
July 14, 1995	Unabomber will not stop, serial-killer expert says
July 28, 1995	Unabomber eludes cops with simple precautions
Aug. 3, 1995	'Hit list' had Unabomber targets
Aug. 4, 1995	Scientists: Unabomber lacks formal schooling
Sept. 20, 1995	Treatise may be Unabomber's undoing
Sept. 21, 1995	Editorial: Buying off a terrorist
Oct. 8, 1995	Illinois arrest linked to Unabomber?
Oct. 11, 1995	Unabom suspects don't pan out
Nov. 5, 1995	Shadow of Unabomb killer sought in Chicago suburbs
Nov. 28, 1995	For investigator, Unabomber is challenge

April 3, 1996: A Killer Captured?

April 4, 1996	FBI searches Unabomber suspect's cabin
April 4, 1996	Suspect led hermit's life in Montana
April 4, 1996	Victim's colleagues relieved, surprised
April 5, 1996	Bomb parts found in cabin; suspect faces charges
April 5, 1996	Kaczynski attracted little notice
April 5, 1996	Many in Chicago suburb not surprised by arrest
April 5, 1996	Editorial: The Unabomber suspect
April 5, 1996	In Illinois, a youth of math and pressure
April 5, 1996	Meteoric talent that burned out
April 6, 1996	Friend wonders 'Why Hugh?'
April 6, 1996	Capital favored for Unabomber trial
April 6, 1996	Brilliant misfit caught in changing times
April 6, 1996	Tapestry of threads in the Unabom inquiry

Tracing the Trail

April 7, 1996	FBI nearly done searching cabin
April 7, 1996	Unabomber profile strikingly close to Kaczynski
April 8, 1996	FBI traces Kaczynski's link to city
April 8, 1996	Two brothers who took divergant paths
April 8, 1996	Classmates recall suspect
April 9, 1996	Kaczynski's family began own probe
April 10, 1996	Unabomber used UC Davis library?
April 10, 1996	'Quiet' inmate reads books, writes in cell
April 10, 1996	In letters, window on life of Unabom suspect
April 10, 1996	How brother realized Kaczynski might be Unabomber
April 11, 1996	Kaczynski capital stay now doubted
April 11, 1996	Agents investigate Kaczynski's breakup, dismissal
April 11, 1996	Bomb suspect wrote of rage at government
April 11, 1996	Text of letters from Unabom suspect
April 11, 1996	Kaczynski brothers: similar, yet totally different

Building a Case

April 12, 1996	Unabom case goes to N.J. attorney
April 13, 1996	Local prosecutor in national spotlight
April 14, 1996	Prosecutors in Unabom case ponder strategic options
April 15, 1996	When Unabom probe arrived, few asked questions
April 16, 1996	Trove of evidence revealed in Kaczynski cabin
April 17, 1996	Grand jury to hear case against Kaczynski today
April 18, 1995	Unabom case not yet before grand jury?
April 19, 1996	Prosecutors: Unabom leaks did no harm
April 20, 1995	Judge refuses to toss out case against Kaczynski
April 24, 1996	Unabom sleuth retires, honors capital victim
April 25, 1996	Family of slain lobby chief seeks damages
May 1, 1996	Kaczynski asks high court to free him
May 14, 1996	Fast review rejected for Unabom suspect

A Trial Comes to Town

June 12, 1996	Unabom trial coming here
June 13, 1996	More comforts than home in capital cell for Kaczynski
June 15, 1996	Indictment in capital likely for Kaczynski
June 16, 1996	Rise in Kaczynski's anger mirrored Unabomber's fury
June 16, 1996	'One of the best' to head defense team
June 19, 1996	They came, they saw, they parked: Media court space
June 19, 1996	Kaczynski accused of four blasts
June 20, 1996	Kaczynski due in Montana courtroom
June 21, 1996	No quick start for Unabom trial
June 22, 1996	Kaczynski to land at Mather
June 23, 1996	Unabomber judge called fair, exact
June 24, 1996	Alleged Unabomber arrives a day early
June 25, 1996	Top Unabom prosecutor called 'unflappable'

June 25, 1996: A Plea of Innocence

June 26, 1996	Kaczynski pleads not guilty to bomb attacks
June 26, 1996	Crowd waits it out for a quick view
June 29, 1996	U.S. adds counts against Kaczynski in non-fatal blasts
July 11, 1996	Notorious Unabomber draws fascination -- even fans
July 16, 1996	Susan Smith's lawyer may join defense team
July 19, 1996	Unabom trial by spring?
July 25, 1996	How crime expert saw through bomber
Sept. 14, 1996	Prosecution hiding evidence, Kaczynski lawyers say
Sept. 15, 1996	Kaczynski's family pleads for his life
Sept. 21, 1996	Prosecutor: Kaczynski diaries detail bombings
Oct. 2, 1996	Kaczynski faces new bomb charge
Oct. 8, 1996	Justices reject Kaczynski bid
Nov. 2, 1996	Kaczynski seeks basis of search
Nov. 8, 1996	Kaczynski reconsiders electronic court plan
Nov. 14, 1996	Feds to share bomb papers

Legal Battle Brews

Nov. 16, 1996	Prosecutor, defense split on trial date
Nov. 19, 1996	Kaczynski move to get search data looks dim
Nov. 20, 1996	Defense denied access to FBI cabin notes
Nov. 23, 1996	Unabom trial date scheduled -- November 1997
Dec. 4, 1996	Kaczynski's lawyer calls 'FC' label a 'cheap shot'
Dec. 6, 1996	U.S. wants Kaczynski tried in N.J. first
Dec. 11, 1996	Kaczynski's trial in N.J. postponed
Dec. 14, 1996	N.J. gets its own Unabom trial
Jan. 19, 1997	Behind scenes, fierce debate rages
Jan. 19, 1997	Role in capture haunts Kaczynski's brother
Feb. 28, 1997	More Kaczynski handwriting sought
March 4, 1997	Kaczynski defense seeks to suppress cabin evidence
March 6, 1997	Suspect ordered to give writing samples
March 15, 1997	Kaczynski defense seeks mountain of documents
March 20, 1997	Writing samples ruling fought
March 27, 1997	U.S. disputes defense's right to Unabom papers
April 2, 1997	Judge requests Unabom files of 12 ex-suspects
April 3, 1997	Kaczynski information bid rejected
April 11, 1997	Kaczynski data quest resumed
April 12, 1997	Kaczynski wrote confession in code, prosecutor says
April 15, 1997	Evidence valid in Unabom case, prosecution says
April 17, 1997	Writing samples required
April 25, 1997	Release of Unabom documents debated
May 10, 1997	Kaczynski decision due soon
May 13, 1997	Defense says U.S. deceit led to cabin evidence

May 15, 1997: A Deadly Decision

May 15, 1997	Prosecutors urge Reno to seek death for Kaczynski
May 16, 1997	Reno will pursue Kaczynski death
May 17, 1997	Editorial: The cost of vengeance
May 24, 1997	Kaczynski pleased as defense attacks
May 29, 1997	Unabomber case evidence hearing
June 10, 1997	Kaczynski evidence may grow
June 17, 1997	Kaczynski lawyers weigh new venue
June 25, 1997	Kaczynski judge, citing publicity, cancels hearing
June 26, 1997	Kaczynski defense may cite mental ills
June 28, 1997	Judge allows evidence from Kaczynski cabin
July 4, 1997	Battle to keep diaries secret
July 15, 1997	Search of Kaczynski cabin too broad, lawyers say
July 30, 1997	Kaczynski's journals claim dealt setback
Aug. 12, 1997	Kaczynski cabin search defended
Aug. 15, 1997	Kaczynski lawyers want changes in jury selection
Aug. 22, 1997	Defense team: No Kaczynski mental exam
Aug. 23, 1997	Defense fears circus at trial
Sept. 3, 1997	Independent mental evaluation resisted
Sept. 4, 1997	Unabom suspect moved to Bay Area
Sept. 6, 1997	Questionnaire drafted for Unabomber jurors
Sept. 13, 1997	Defense accuses government of withholding reports
Sept. 16, 1997	Defense calls death penalty law flawed

Sept. 19, 1997: A Blow to the Defense

Sept. 20, 1997	Judge gives prosecutors three victories
Sept. 20, 1997	Survivor wants death penalty if 'Hut Man' guilty
Sept. 22, 1997	Unabomber jury anonymity challenged
Sept. 24, 1997	Victim kin may get Unabomber reward
Sept. 25, 1997	New effort to block Kaczynski mental test
Sept. 27, 1997	Judge urged to have 'anonymous jury'
Oct. 2, 1997	Prosecutor fights to test Kaczynski's mental state
Oct. 2, 1997	Prosecutors say potential witnesses threatened
Oct. 3, 1997	Judge: Jury will be anonymous
Oct. 4, 1997	Unabom life term too risky, U.S. says
Oct. 6, 1997	600 prospective jurors to gather today
Oct. 7, 1997	400 potential jurors assemble
Oct. 7, 1997	Judge promised prospective jurors anonymity
Oct. 7, 1997	A diverse parade of potential jurors
Oct. 12, 1997	Town weary of Kaczynski fame, resents prying
Oct. 15, 1997	Kaczynski mentally ill, lawyers tell prosecution
Oct. 16, 1997	Mental illness not precursor to crime
Oct. 17, 1997	Defense moves to have death penalty option removed
Oct. 18, 1997	Kaczynski exam can't be taped
Oct. 22, 1997	Expert testimony to support suspect
Oct. 23, 1997	Mental tests of Kaczynski OK'd
Oct. 24, 1997	Kaczynski diary details bombings, court filing says
Oct. 24, 1997	Excerpts from Kaczynski writings
Oct. 24, 1997	Defense wants jury to view cabin

Oct. 25, 1997: Mental Exam Refused

Oct. 25, 1997	Kaczynski balks at psychiatric exam
Oct. 29, 1997	U.S. says defense blew chance to object to evidence
Oct. 29, 1997	Prosecutors say Kaczynski has violent past
Oct. 30, 1997	Defense opposes uncharged bombing evidence
Oct. 31, 1997	Capital to be in glare of media
Oct. 31, 1997	Government wants judge to bar mental defense
Nov. 3, 1997	Documents portray suspect's troubled family relations
Nov. 5, 1997	Judge seals disputed evidence
Nov. 6, 1997	New bid to block Unabom evidence
Nov. 7, 1997	Kaczynski returns to capital
Nov. 8, 1997	Unabom victim's wife opens window on loss
Nov. 8, 1997	Death penalty challenge fails
Nov. 9, 1997	Kaczynski team seeks plea bargain
Nov. 9, 1997	Probe went public after local death
Nov. 9, 1997	Gilbert Murray touched many in life, death
Nov. 9, 1997	Hugh Scrutton led life full of joy, adventure
Nov. 9, 1997	Two survivors piece lives back together
Nov. 10, 1997	Cabin could be key in defense
Nov. 10, 1997	Defense, prosecutors clash over jury selection
Nov. 11, 1997	Answers needed in Unabom case
Nov. 12, 1997	Trial to focus on Kaczynski's state of mind
Nov. 12, 1997	Trial biggest of Sacramento's big federal cases
Nov. 12, 1997	Editorial: Death, or life imprisonment?
Nov. 13, 1997	Four potential jurors excused
Nov. 13, 1997	No big rush for courtroom seats
Nov. 13, 1997	Kaczynski afraid of psychiatrists, expert says
Nov. 13, 1997	Juror candidates unveil quirks
Nov. 14, 1997	Potential jurors air death penalty views
Nov. 14, 1997	Expert: Death sentence talk points to defense angle
Nov. 15, 1997	U.S.: Kaczynski sought mental help
Nov. 16, 1997	Jury selection can be time well spent
Nov. 16, 1997	Deciding person's fate no easy task
Nov. 18, 1997	Oklahoma City bombing casts a long shadow

Nov. 19, 1997: Letters Spur Legal Debate

Nov. 19, 1997	Letters seeking mental health care spur legal debate
Nov. 20, 1997	'Sickie' label had worried defendant
Nov. 20, 1997	Journal excerpts
Nov. 20, 1997	Jury prospects would consider death, if hesitantly
Nov. 21, 1997	Lawyers keep sniping over mental tests
Nov. 22, 1997	Expert testimony on mental health likely
Nov. 23, 1997	Kaczynski gives lawyers little help saving his life
Nov. 24, 1997	Mental health tests take center stage
Nov. 24, 1997	Prospective juror confronts Kaczynski
Nov. 25, 1997	Defense accused of trying to 'lead' would-be jurors
Nov. 25, 1997	Brother heads West to help Unabomber suspect
Nov. 25, 1997	Journalists ask federal court to intervene
Nov. 26, 1997	Kaczynski visibly upset over mental health issue
Nov. 26, 1997	Kaczynski a no-show as jury selection continues
Dec. 1, 1997	Kaczynski cabin to be trucked to capital
Dec. 2, 1997	Jury candidate appalled by lifestyle
Dec. 2, 1997	Cabin transport delayed
Dec. 3, 1997	Unabom jury search nearing end
Dec. 3, 1997	Experts question Kaczynski's defense
Dec. 3, 1997	Potential jurors face a moral trial by fire
Dec. 4, 1997	Opening remarks likely to start Dec. 29
Dec. 4, 1997	Photographers crowd truck carrying Kaczynski cabin
Dec. 4, 1997	Kaczynski plays tic-tac-toe as jurors struggle
Dec. 5, 1997	Kaczynski's cabin arrives
Dec. 6, 1997	Lawyers seek to cut length of Unabom trial

December 1997: Jury Selection Ends

Dec. 8, 1997	Jury selection ending, but legal issues still cloud trial
Dec. 8, 1997	Potential juror worries: Is Unabomber still at large?
Dec. 9, 1997	Jurors can't be told about lack of bombings
Dec. 9, 1997	Candidate says she couldn't stand evidence photos
Dec. 10, 1997	Earth First! says Unabomber letter never received
Dec. 10, 1997	Jury candidate recalls base bombing
Dec. 11, 1997	First phase of jury picking ends
Dec. 12, 1997	Kaczynski brother to aid defense
Dec. 14, 1997	Ex-U.S. law officers join calls to spare Kaczynski
Dec. 16, 1997	Judge rules on challenges; court accepts media case
Dec. 17, 1997	Judge skips group questioning of potential jurors
Dec. 18, 1997	Judge orders release of conference transcripts
Dec. 20, 1997	Kaczynski attends brief, closed session with judge
Dec. 22, 1997	Juror profiles
Dec. 23, 1997	Kaczynski jury set; trial to start Jan. 5
Dec. 24, 1997	No deal on exam evidence in Kaczynski trial
Dec. 24, 1997	Defense: Suspect is thinking man's killer postal worker
Dec. 26, 1997	Cryptographer examines defendant's journal
Dec. 27, 1997	Kaczynski unhappy with defense team's actions
Dec. 29, 1997	Kaczynski offered guilty plea to avoid death penalty
Dec. 31, 1997	Judge keeps seal on private hearings
Jan. 1, 1998	Unabomber trial gets much shorter
Jan. 2, 1998	Prosecution to turn Kaczynski's writings against him
Jan. 3, 1998	Ban sought on signs of Kaczynski's mental disarray
Jan. 4, 1998	Kaczynski case puts focus on federal execution laws
Jan. 4, 1998	Everyone entitled to a day in court

Jan. 5, 1998: Kaczynski Stops Trial

Jan. 5, 1998	Prosecutors to open with Kaczynski's writings
Jan. 6, 1998	Kaczynski derails start of trial
Jan. 6, 1998	Closed doors cast shadow over 'public' trial
Jan. 7, 1998	Kaczynski huddles with defenders, new attorney
Jan. 7, 1998	Society still can't face mental illness
Jan. 7, 1998	As dispute simmers, Kaczynski spends time writing
Jan. 8, 1998	Kaczynski loses bid for new lawyer
Jan. 8, 1998	Profile of Tony Serra
Jan. 8, 1998	Kaczynski agrees to psychological testing
Jan. 8, 1998	A close look at the Kaczynski trial
Jan. 9, 1998	Kaczynski reportedly tries to take own life
Jan. 9, 1998	New attorney for Kaczynski a trial veteran
Jan. 9, 1998	Media's attempt to unseal jury information opposed
Jan. 9, 1998	How to save defendant from self?
Jan. 10, 1998	Trial delayed over competency
Jan. 11, 1998	Is Kaczynski manipulating legal system?
Jan. 11, 1998	How can a genius foul up a suicide?
Jan. 11, 1998	Prosecution reopens plea bargain talks
Jan. 12, 1998	Plea deal may hinge on results of psychiatric testing
Jan. 13, 1998	Testing starts on Kaczynski's fitness to stand trial
Jan. 13, 1998	Aim for justice, not for revenge
Jan. 13, 1998	Psychiatrist playing mental chess with Kaczynski
Jan. 14, 1998	Schizophrenics live in delusional world
Jan. 14, 1998	High-profile cases thrust psychiatrist into the limelight
Jan. 15, 1998	Views vary on Kaczynski psychiatrist
Jan. 15, 1998	Opposition to death penalty grows
Jan. 15, 1998	Governor urges no plea bargain for Kaczynski
Jan. 15, 1998	Transcripts show Kaczynski fighting mental defense
Jan. 16, 1998	Prosecution files new motion to force hand of defense

Jan. 17, 1998: Psych Report Complete

Jan. 17, 1998	Judge expected to get report on Kaczynski today
Jan. 18, 1998	Mad or bad? Question burns at heart of notorious trials
Jan. 18, 1998	Judge seeks to have Kaczynski keep his lawyers
Jan. 18, 1998	Jurors wait and wonder: What's going on?
Jan. 18, 1998	Psychiatric report on suspect completed
Jan. 18, 1998	The right to assistance of counsel
Jan. 19, 1998	Kaczynski taken off jail suicide watch
Jan. 20, 1998	Defense asks about 'secret shacks'
Jan. 21, 1998	Kaczynski competent, doctor says
Jan. 21, 1998	Plea negotiations resume after diagnosis
Jan. 21, 1998	Trial may look like 'Groundhog Day,' but it's not
Jan. 22, 1998	Opening statements due today: Some predict plea deal
Jan. 22, 1998	Jury must wonder: What's going on?
Jan. 23, 1998	Unabomber will spend rest of his life behind bars
Jan. 23, 1998	In the end, remorse, reconciliation and healing
Jan. 23, 1998	20-year saga of terror, legal twists finally over
Jan. 23, 1998	Experts answer key questions in Kaczynski case
Jan. 23, 1998	System worked well in avoiding Kaczynski trial
Jan. 23, 1998	Yes, in the end, justice was served
Jan. 23, 1998	Kaczynski's family deals with pain, anguish, guilt
Jan. 24, 1998	Doctor maimed by bomb calls Kaczynski coward
Jan. 25, 1998	Kaczynski's legacy is one of pain -- not revolution
Jan. 25, 1998	'I don't think justice can ever be served'
Jan. 26, 1998	Group attacks Hewlett-Packard in name of Unabomber
Jan. 27, 1998	Kaczynski plea bargain denies city a windfall
Jan. 28, 1998	County won't prosecute Kaczynski in bombings
Jan. 28, 1998	Court delays challenge to jury anonymity
Feb. 1, 1998	Diary entries emphasize no regrets, thirst for revenge
Feb. 1, 1998	Unabom sleuth ignored at trial
Feb. 4, 1998	Jurors reflect on trial that almost was
Feb. 10, 1998	Unabomber victims' last moments detailed
April 28, 1998	Writings of Kaczynski show desire for revenge
May 3, 1998	Bomber, victims face off in court

May 4, 1998: A Bomber Sentenced

May 4, 1998	Wife details agony of husband's death
May 4, 1998	Fate of Kaczynski's cabin uncertain
May 5, 1998	Judge rips legal ploys by killer
May 5, 1998	Unabomber gets life sentence
May 6, 1998	Life term begins in solitary at prison
May 29, 1998	Judge: Release most of Kaczynski report
June 5, 1998	Unabom report delayed
June 6, 1998	Unabom hideout proves a hot item
June 7, 1998	Prosecutor recalls blind alleys, victory
June 11, 1998	Court delays Kaczynski report
June 24, 1998	Justice Department honors Kaczynski prosecutors
June 24, 1998	Kaczynski floats book proposal from prison
June 27, 1998	Kaczynski's tiny world -- new luxuries, austere setting
July 1, 1998	Keep Kaczynski report secret, lawyer asks
Aug. 19, 1998	Prosecution work cost $1.55 million
Aug. 20, 1998	Unabomber's brother receives $1 million reward
Aug. 21, 1998	David Kaczynski plans trust fund for victims
Sept. 12, 1998	Sexual frustration drove Kaczynski, report contends
Sept. 17, 1998	Kaczynski story's profits targeted
Nov. 23, 1998	Unabomber's brother to sell story
Dec. 14, 1998	Book shows bomber's violent ways
Jan. 12, 1999	Kaczynskis set up fund to distribute reward
Feb. 10, 1999	Unabomber hires new lawyer to seek second trial
Feb. 12, 1999	Kaczynski seeks retrial, lines up book deal
March 1, 1999	Unabomber would forgive brother if he became radical
April 8, 1999	Brother, victim urge bridge between families
April 23, 1999	Kaczynski wants trial
April 24, 1999	Kaczynski makes pitch to toss plea
June 7, 1999	Appeals court dismisses challenge to anonymous jury
June 17, 1999	Kaczynski asks permission for appeals court to review case
Oct. 23, 1999	Kaczynski appeal will be heard