FBI says lack of evidence anyone helped Rudolph hide out

<p>The FBI says that unless more evidence is uncovered, its unlikely anyone will be charged with aiding Eric Rudolph, the suspect in a bombing at the Atlanta Olympics, during his five years as a fugitive in the North Carolina mountains.</p><p>I wont say no one will ever be charged, said Chris Swecker, who heads the FBI in North Carolina. But weve found insufficient evidence at this point.</p><p>Rudolph was arrested in the Cherokee County town of Murphy on May 31 after eluding a man hunt that had involved hundreds of law enforcement officials.</p><p>The FBI suspects that Rudolph had help surviving in the North Carolina mountains. FBI agents have run down hundreds of leads and are still searching for anyone who may have fed, clothed or sheltered the fugitive.</p><p>Swecker acknowledged a lot of rumors are out there.</p><p>We suspect he had help. Thats why were investigating, Swecker said. But we have not come across anything that were going to court with. There isnt any good evidence that anyone helped him.</p><p>After his capture, Rudolph was taken to Birmingham, Ala., where he is awaiting trial in connection with a blast that killed an off-duty police officer at an abortion clinic.</p><p>Federal prosecutors announced this month they would seek the death penalty.</p><p>Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes doesnt think the FBI will uncover any evidence that Rudolph got help from local residents.</p><p>Its been my contention from the beginning that Rudolph acted alone and survived alone in the wilderness, Hughes said. I still believe as strongly as ever that he didnt get assistance from anyone around here.</p><p>Mark Potok with the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., which tracks hate groups, said there is an active strain of anti-government sentiment in the North Carolina mountains. He said he found a broad sympathy for Rudolph in the area.</p><p>But he didnt think that necessarily meant the people supported the murder of a police officer or the bombing of an abortion clinic.</p><p>Rudolph, 37, is accused of four bombings in Atlanta and Birmingham, which killed two people and wounded more than 150. The most highly publicized bombing was at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Two bombings targeted abortion clinics, another a lesbian nightclub.</p><p>Swecker said the FBI is now focusing on getting ready for the death penalty trial, but agents arent giving up tracking down evidence that Rudolph might have had help hiding out.</p><p>A nurse who worked at a hospital near where Rudolph camped before his arrest has said she expected to be indicted on charges of helping the fugitive elude capture.</p><p>Brenda Kay Phillips told FBI agents that she helped Rudolph while he was hiding.</p><p>Swecker has discounted Phillips claims. I wouldnt give much credence to what she says, he said.</p><p>Investigators believe its possible that Rudolph, an outdoorsman and former soldier, could have survived without help at two camps he set up.</p><p>A small camp near Murphy High School where Rudolph said he was living at the time of his capture, and a larger one astride a ridge line in nearby Clay County, were well stocked.</p><p>Hughes said he believes someone would have turned Rudolph in for the reward money.</p><p>This gentleman had a $1 million price tag on his head, Hughes said. One million dollars buys a lot of things.</p>