Accused Iowa pipe bomber says he'll represent himself

A former Iowa letter carrier accused of mailing dud pipe bombs and threatening letters to investment firms to scare them into forcing up stock prices says he'll act as his own attorney at trial.

Jury selection in John Tomkins' trial begins Monday in Chicago.

The 47-year-old man has been in custody since 2007. He's accused sending letters from 2005 to 2007 that threatened to kill those who received them unless shares in Navarre Corp. and 3COM Corp. moved higher. He signed them "The Bishop."

He tells the Chicago Tribune in emails that the crimes committed in the case are horrible and he feels for the victims. However, he didn't directly answer questions about his alleged actions.

Tomkins says he's representing himself partly because of difficulties of meeting with attorneys.