NE Iowan Pleads in Poisoning Plot

OSAGE, Iowa (AP) — A northeast Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and sexual abuse.

50-year-old Mark Retterath entered his pleas on Tuesday in Mitchell County District Court.

Mitchell County authorities say Retterath targeted a person who intended to testify against Retterath about being assaulted by Retterath in 2003, 2006 and 2012. The testimony was scheduled for an August trial on sexual abuse charges against Retterath in a different case.

A criminal complaint says Retterath told an acquaintance that he wanted to kill the prospective witness by using a toxin called ricin that could be made from castor beans.