The AP reported this story yesterday as if it were an uncommon thing in poker. Come on... who here hasn't seen at least one wild animal used to collect a poker debt?
LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Two men who allegedly tried to use rattlesnakes as deadly weapons to collect on a debt have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The Lakewood men were allegedly trying to kill Matthew Sowash, owner of Amateur Poker Tour, because he owed them $60,000, said Jim Shires of the Jefferson County sheriff's office. Arrest affidavits say Sowash's company holds poker games in bars.
Herbert Paul Beck, 56, and Christopher Lee Steelman, 34, were charged with suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping and extortion. Bail for each was set at $500,000.
The plan was to build a wooden box to hold the snakes and ''the lid was to be built to allow Sowash's legs to be put inside but not pulled out,'' according to the affidavits.
