Jul 11, 2007 1:59 pm US/Eastern
Two Indicted In Erie Collar Bomb Case
US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon in Erie to "announce a major development in the investigation."
ERIE (KDKA/AP) ―
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Brian Wells was killed when a bomb strapped to his body exploded in Erie back in August 2003
Nearly four years after a pizza delivery man died when a bomb around his neck exploded, a grand jury has reportedly indicted two people in the case.
Shortly after delivering a pizza to a gravel road near a TV tower in Erie back in August of 2003, Brian Wells showed up at a nearby bank demanding money with an explosive device strapped to his neck.
Police had detained Wells; but as authorities waited for the bomb squad to arrive, the bomb exploded.
Now, at least two people are reportedly facing charges in connection with the case.
Though federal authorities will officially detail "a major development" in the investigation this afternoon, the Associated Press is now reporting that two people are facing charges in the case.
According to the Associated Press, "a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation" said the indictments "were returned under seal Monday."
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the indictments had not been formally announced.
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, already imprisoned for killing her boyfriend, was notified Tuesday that she may face charges of bank robbery, conspiracy and a firearms count, lawyer Lawrence D'Ambrosio said. He says Diehl-Armstrong, 58, is innocent.
Federal authorities also notified a man described as Diehl-Armstrong's fishing companion, Kenneth E. Barnes, that he faces charges.
Barnes, 53, is jailed on unrelated drug charges.
Diehl-Armstrong, 58, has been linked to the Wells investigation because her boyfriend's body was found in the freezer of a home near the TV tower where Wells made his final delivery. She pleaded guilty but mentally ill to killing her boyfriend and is serving a sentence of seven to 20 years in state prison.
The man who owned the home, William Rothstein, was questioned in Wells' death but has since died of cancer.
Authorities have never said whether they believe Wells was an innocent victim, a conspirator or someone who knew something about the robbery plot but did not realize the risk he faced. Wells' family believes he was just a victim.
D'Ambrosio, Diehl-Armstrong's attorney, has said he believes she had nothing to do with Wells' death but may have known the people behind the robbery.
Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story. We will have a news crew in Erie today to bring all the latest details on the case.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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