Former Northwestern University professor Wyndham Lathem, who was charged with murdering his boyfriend in 2017, attempted to use his academic credentials in studying the bubonic plague to convince a judge to release him from jail to fight the Chinese virus pandemic.
A judge has denied former professor Wyndham Lathem’s request to be released from Cook County Jail over the coronavirus, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The former professor — who was accused of murdering his boyfriend while he lay asleep — tried to use his knowledge in pathogen research to convince a judge to free him on $1 million bail.
The report added that Lathem also claimed that he has health conditions that would put him at a greater risk if he becomes infected with the Wuhan coronavirus.
The chair of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina, William Goldman, wrote an email to the judge on Lathem’s behalf, advocating for his release from jail —where the former professor is being held without bail.
“With his background and experience, Dr. Lathem is well-suited to advise and participate in studies that are aimed at understanding SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote Goldman.
“It would make sense to take advantage of as many experts as possible during this worldwide crisis that is rapidly expanding in scope,” he added.
Judge Charles Burns, however, denied Lathem’s request on Friday.
Before being arrested for murder, Lathem was a world-renowned researcher on the bubonic plague and had been granted special clearance by the CDC, according to the Sun-Times.
The report added that Lathem’s alleged accomplice to the murder, Andrew Warren, pleaded guilty last year after agreeing to a 45-year prison sentence in exchange for testimony against the former professor.
According to prosecutors, Lathem and Warren had planned the killing in a series of email exchanges months prior.
“Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli, serving prison time for securities fraud, is also seeking a furlough to work on a Chinese virus cure.
You can follow Alana Mastrangelo on Twitter at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.
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