Tylenol case parole challenged

U.S. Attorney Anton R. Valukas has asked the federal ParoleCommission to revoke the upcoming parole of James William Lewis, whowas convicted of trying to shake down the makers of Extra-StrengthTylenol.

Lewis, 43, was scheduled to be released Aug. 27 from a federalpenitentiary in El Reno, Okla., where he has served more than sixyears of his 10-year term.

But Valukas' appeal has resulted in an Aug. 21 hearing by theregional parole commissioner in Dallas to reconsider Lewis' parole.

Valukas confirmed Wednesday he sent the Parole Commission aletter in February with new "adverse information" in an effort toreopen Lewis' parole proceedings.

Valukas' letter noted that at the time Lewis wrote a 1982extortion letter to Johnson & Johnson, manufacturers of Tylenol, healso sent a threatening note to President Ronald Reagan suggesting hewould plant more cyanide in capsules.

In 1983, Lewis was convicted by a jury of trying to shake downJohnson & Johnson for $1 million to stop the 1982 Tylenol cyanidekillings.

At the time of sentencing, U.S. Attorney Dan K. Webb said Lewis'extortion note was a virtual confession.

But Webb said he lacked evidence to prosecute Lewis for thedeaths of seven Chicago area residents who died after ingestingcyanide-tainted capsules.

Lewis has contended law enforcement officials had tried unfairlyto pin the deaths on him.

No one has been prosecuted for the deaths.