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Warrant: Pizza Deliveryman Had Neck Measured For Collar Bomb
PITTSBURGH (Thursday, July 19, 2007) -
A pizza deliveryman who robbed a bank while wearing a collar bomb that later exploded had his neck measured for the device, and earlier took part in talks about wearing a fake explosive, according to documents unsealed Wednesday.
The information was part of an application and affidavit for a search warrant. It also alleges Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, 58, charged last week in connection with the Aug. 28, 2003, robbery of a PNC Bank in Summit Township, Erie County, told a witness in prison that the late William Rothstein, an unindicted coconspirator in the case, helped make the bomb that killed 46-year-old pizza deliveryman Brian Wells.
Information about the warrant was first reported Wednesday on the Web site of the Erie Times-News, which obtained the documents.
"Diehl-Armstrong also told (the witness) that Rothstein and Wells knew each other and stated 'they' even measured Wells' neck for the device," the affidavit states. "Diehl-Armstrong further stated Wells had knowledge of the plan, but did not know the extent of his participation."
Wells told police he had been forced at gunpoint to wear a time bomb around his neck and rob the bank. The device exploded while police waited for the bomb squad to arrive, killing Wells.
Prosecutors named Wells as an unindicted coconspirator, although U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan has said his role might have "transitioned from that of the planning stages to being an unwilling participant in the scheme."
Wells' family insists he had nothing to do with the plot and did not know the suspects.
The warrant was for the home of Kenneth E. Barnes, also charged last week with robbery, conspiracy and a firearms violation in connection with the PNC heist. Barnes, 53, who is jailed in Erie County on unrelated drug charges, and Diehl-Armstrong have pleaded not guilty.
Diehl-Armstrong was linked to the Wells case after the body of her boyfriend, James Roden, was found in a freezer in Rothstein's home near where Wells made his final delivery. Diehl-Armstrong is serving seven to 20 years in a state prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill to killing Roden in 2003. Rothstein died of cancer in 2004.
According to the affidavit, Barnes told investigators he and four others - including Wells, Rothstein and Diehl-Armstrong - met the day before the heist at Rothstein's house. There, Barnes "overheard parts of the plan, including that Wells was to wear a fake explosive device into the bank, because, according to Diehl-Armstrong and Rothstein, it would intimidate tellers resulting in better compliance."
Rothstein learned to make bombs "by reading books and gathering information on the Internet," Diehl-Armstrong allegedly told a witness.
After the robbery, Wells was to give the money to Rothstein. Therefore, if authorities stopped Wells, he wouldn't have any money with him, "demonstrating to authorities that he was not willingly involved," the affidavit states.
Barnes also told investigators he saw Wells with a prostitute the day before the robbery and that Wells had been to Barnes' house four or five times, according to the affidavit. The prostitute has told investigators she thought it was odd Barnes and Wells knew each other, and when she asked Wells how he knew Barnes, "Wells did not answer her."
The unsealed documents also included details about the makeup of the bomb, items investigators found in Barnes' home, interviews with Diehl-Armstrong, Barnes and others, and the planning and motive for the heist.
Prosecutors say Diehl-Armstrong wanted money so she could get someone to kill her father.
Barnes told investigators he jokingly told her he would need $200,000 to kill her father and she told him she would get the money, the affidavit states. Barnes said he planned to get $100,000 as a down payment, but then take the money and not kill her father, according to the document.
Messages left for Diehl-Armstrong's public defender and a Wells family member in Arizona were not immediately returned Wednesday evening.
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