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Bomb SuspectÂ's Brother Severs Hand

The brother of the man wanted in the fatal bombing of an Alabama abortion clinic has intentionally cut off his own hand.

South Carolina television stations, citing police sources, reported that Daniel Rudolph videotaped himself Sunday intentionally severing his hand with a circular saw.

Jim Rumchak, the agent in charge of the FBI office in Charleston, refused to provide any details, but did say, Â"I don't know what was in his mind. I have no idea why he would do what he did, and it's certainly unfortunate and regrettable.

Â"I don't see where our contacts with him would have forced him to have this kind of incident occur.Â"

Eric Rudolph, 31, is a suspect in the Jan. 29 bombing at the New Woman All Women Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed an off-duty policeman and severely injured a nurse. Authorities believe he may be hiding in the forested mountains near his Murphy, North Carolina, home.

Rumchak said the FBI has discussed Eric Rudolph with his brother, but had no intention to seek him out about the reports of maiming.

Attorney James Bell, who last month said he was representing the Rudolph family, did not return telephone messages Monday. His office said without explanation that he no longer represented the family.

The FBI said Daniel Ruldolph was a self-employed carpenter but had few other details on him.

©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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