| Charges expected in collar bomb case
From Kelli Arena and Kevin Bohn
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two people are expected to be charged Wednesday in connection with the bizarre 2003 case in which a pizza deliveryman died after a collar bomb attached to him exploded, CNN has learned.
Brian Wells died August 28, 2003, in Erie, Pennsylvania, after he claimed gunmen grabbed him, locked the bomb around his neck and ordered him to rob a bank. Police detained him after the robbery, and the device exploded as he waited on the pavement. A bomb squad was en route to the scene but did not arrive in time.
Authorities have not said whether they believe Wells was a victim or a co-conspirator in the plot.
Two sources tell CNN one of the individuals who will be indicted is Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, who has been linked to the case for years. She is in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill in the murder of her boyfriend, whose body was found in a freezer in a home close to where Wells made his final delivery, investigators said.
The other person expected to be charged is Kenneth Barnes, a fishing buddy of Wells, one of the sources tells CNN.
Barnes has been held at the Erie County Prison on a drug charge since March of last year. A prison official told CNN a federal detainer was put on Barnes Tuesday, but could not provide any information as to why. Asked about charges expected to be brought against him, the official said he had no information.
A knowledgeable source told CNN that the two people "are expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery and using a firearm in connection with commission of a crime."
The U.S. attorney, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI have scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon "to announce a major development in the investigation," according to a press advisory. The U.S. attorney's office and law enforcement agencies involved refused to comment because the case is still under seal.
Earlier this week, Diehl-Armstrong's lawyer, public defender Thomas Patton, asked a judge to issue a gag order preventing a public news conference to announce the charges. He argued extensive media coverage would be damaging to his client's case. The attorney's motion said "it is anticipated that an indictment will be forthcoming shortly." He said in his court motion his client had been questioned in connection with the case.
Neither Patton nor Diehl-Armstrong's personal attorney, Lawrence D'Ambrosio, returned calls to CNN for comment. D'Ambrosio said that Diehl-Armstrong is not guilty, according to The Associated Press. D'Ambrosio said Diehl-Armstrong may have been acquainted with some of the people involved in the case but did not know Wells or plan his death, AP reported. |
07-12-2007, 11:32 AM
