Mailbox bomber may be seeking deal

The man accused of mailbox pipe bombings in Iowa and four other states wants a judge to waive his preliminary hearing. 21-year-old Luke Helder’s appearance in federal court is scheduled for next Wednesday. The lawyer for the college student from Minnesota filed papers yesterday saying Helder wants the hearing waived. The court will determine whether there is probable cause to believe he committed the crimes. Helder allegedly put 18 bombs in mailboxes earlier this month, injuring six people. A Cedar Rapids lawyer says it sounds like both sides are “cooking up some kind of deal.” Helder is under suicide watch in the Linn County Jail.