Patient charged with using mercury as chemical weapon against hospital

A New York man was indicted on Thursday for allegedly using elemental mercury as a chemical weapon against an Albany hospital, apparently as a result of a billing dispute with administrators. On four occasions, the man spread at least six pounds of liquid mercury in various locations in the Albany Medical Center, including in the cafeteria salad bar, in a toaster, in an ice-cream freezer, and on warm chicken tenders, according to court documents. A hospital employee who consumed tainted chicken tenders was treated in the emergency room. "Whether others also ate or inhaled mercury is presently unknown," court documents say. Martin Kimber of Ruby, N.Y., was charged with two counts of stockpiling, possessing, and using a toxic chemical weapon.