Bomb Suspect’s Notes for Book, Lawyer Says

Doodle-covered notes found in the home of a man accused of firebombing a subway train were outlines for two science-fiction novels, not plans for a terror campaign, says the man’s lawyer, Stephen Murphy.

Suspect Edward Leary of Scotch Plains, N.J., and 47 others were injured in the Dec. 21 explosion.

Doodles of frowning faces and bullet-riddled bodies covered the notes, which described plans for a “terror box” that would be planted in a subway station and detonated by three hidden video cameras.

Details about the notes were first reported Sunday by New York Newsday. Murphy confirmed the existence of the notes but said the unidentified police sources cited by Newsday had misrepresented them.

One note, 15 pages long, was written “years ago” and sketched a “high-tech suspense thriller,” Murphy told reporters at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. Leary remains in the burn unit there in serious but stable condition.

As for the “terror box,” Murphy said: “It’s completely unrealistic. . . . It’s a box the size of a room” and would require a truck to move.

“I read (Leary) the article just now and he’s furious,” Murphy said. “He said, ‘Lies--they know exactly what this is.’ ”

Through Murphy, Leary has denied being the bomber. He was indicted last week on attempted murder, extortion, assault and weapons charges.

Earlier published reports had said that investigators found extortion notes, signed “Terror Mad Bomber.” Murphy insists that no extortion notes were found.