Agents track bullet letter

PHOENIX (AP) – U.S. Postal inspectors and Secret Service agents are investigating the mailing this week of dozens of letters, most containing a bullet taped to a picture of President Reagan. A postal inspector in Phoenix, R.D. Kanoy, said the letters are almost identical to a batch sent out in July, allegedly by a Scottsdale man. They were addressed to several Phoenix judges, some U.S. congressmen, Sen. Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz., and several newspapers, including the Scottsdale paily Progress. Mailing explosives is a federal crime, pwiishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. The author of the latest letters listed a return address of a Tucson post office box and said they were from “Mr. A. Melvin McDonald,” officials said. McDonald is U.S. Attorney for Arizona. The Scottsdale man who allegedly sent similar letters did so in an apparant attempt to be readmitted to the Air Force after being discharged because of mental problems , Kanoy said. The latest three-page letters included a photocopied photo of Supreme Court Justice Sandra D. O’Connor appears to be dripping blood, The Tucson Citizen said. The words “Kill Ronald Reagan” were coming from her mouth. Blood also was shown dripping from a photo of Reagan, with a .22 caliber bullet taped to his chin.