Cousin: Oklahoma bomb plot suspect mentally ill

By Tim Talley

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, Oct. 9 2012 1:06 a.m. MDT

This undatedphoto provided by the Ottawa County (Okla.) Sheriff Department shows Gregory Arthur Weiler II. Prosecutors have filed charges against the Illinois man accused of plotting to bomb nearly 50 Oklahoma churches. Weiler has been charged under the state's anti-terrorism act.

Ottawa County Sheriff Department, Associated Press

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Summary

Relatives of a 23-year-old Illinois man accused of plotting to blow up dozens of churches in northeastern Oklahoma say he has struggled with mental illness, substance abuse and grief.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Relatives of a 23-year-old Illinois man accused of plotting to blow up dozens of churches in northeastern Oklahoma say he has struggled with mental illness, substance abuse and grief.

Gregory Arthur Weiler II, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., was arrested Thursday in Miami, Okla., after a motel maintenance worker spotted the makings of Molotov cocktails in a trash bin and alerted police.

Weiler's cousin Johnny Meyers says his family is relieved no one was hurt. He says now Weiler can go to a mental hospital and get proper care.

Meyers says Weiler's parents both committed suicide when he was young, and Weiler attempted suicide in the eighth grade.

Meyers says family members are going to Oklahoma to visit Weiler, who is being held in jail without bond.

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