Prosecutor Describes Night of Terror at Bass House A prosecutor described a night of terror in 2007 when three masked men broke into the Connecticut estate of philanthropist Anne H. Bass, tied up her and her guest and injected them with what they claimed was a deadly virus in an attempt to extort millions of dollars. Prosecutor Paul McConnell made his opening statement Wednesday in the trial of Emanuel Nicolescu (nik-oh-LES'-kyoo). McConnell says Bass and her companion were kept tied up in the bathroom during most of the 6-hour ordeal. He said Bass' friend thought he was going to die. The substance turned out to be harmless. Nicolescu's attorney says her client, a former butler at the property, did not plan or participate in the crime and forensic evidence did not tie him to the scene.