The FBI documents said Barnes later confessed to punching Wells on the day of the bank heist after Wells got scared and started to run away from the group of conspirators. The footage is shown or implied again several times in the docuseries, but the aforementioned instance in the premiere episode is the only one where the footage is unblurred. The police went straight to Bills house--and found Marjorie there, sitting in the bed. In 2008, Barnes was sentenced to 270 months for conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, according to FCI Coleman Low, the federal correctional facility where hes currently incarcerated in Florida. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The story of Brian Wells is about a pizza delivery guy, a bomb collar, and a bank robbery. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Across testimony given by Bill Rothstein, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, Kenneth Barnes, and Jessica Hoopsick, none agree with each other 100 percent. They didn't think Rothstein was the mastermind, they thought she was. Ken pled guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 45 years in prison, and on the stand, he testified against Marjorie.Ken also said that he and Marjorie had followed Brian to the bank, watching from a vehicle parked across the street. Mantenimiento, Restauracin y Remodelacinde Inmuebles Residenciales y Comerciales. Now in a state mental hospital, Marjories testimony against Bill would be useless. WebBrian Wells. There was some conjecture that Brian Wells knew about the bomb plot. Barnes was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, and Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, where she died in 2017. With a high IQ, she also excelled at college and got a Masters degree. Previously, investigators made only one of these pages available to the media. 'We know all the details'"The government knows what happened the day of the incident. Probably not.. Collar-Bomb Case Charges in Bizarre 03 Bank Heist. She was unable to access more than $8,702, which he took. You have reached your limit of free articles. In Wells car, investigators found pages of detailed instructions on how to find the key and combination codes that would disarm and remove the bomb. 7. So smooth. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There was no remote detonator. It meant that anything she said might not be able to be used in court. 9. Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Maximize Compensation? Buchanan said the investigation has been complicated by the deaths of at least two witnesses. This was because of a technical issue, not a moral one, but the news station held the footage back and later turned it over to authorities. Three minutes before the bomb squad arrived, the collar detonated, tearing a hole in Wells' chest and killing him within moments, according to All That's Interesting. As Clark predicted, this was no ordinary bank robbery.. Diehl-Armstrong was the plot's mastermind, according to Barnes. Kenneth Barnes was reportedly a retired TV repairman, a drug dealer, and a friend of Diehl-Armstrong's. Rothstein, meanwhile, was charged for his involvement with the crime, but never saw his day in court. She developed issues with bipolar disorder, which caused sharp mood swings, paranoia, and narcissism. According to Rothstein, he hadn't even spoken to Diehl-Armstrong for a long time before she called and asked if he would help her hide Roden's body. Investigators ultimately determined the device, which included four locks and a combination dial, could never have been safely removed. A witness pointed authorities to a man named Kenneth Barnes (another compulsive hoarder), a close friend of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, claiming that Barnes had been involved in the bomb collar case. It was a bank robbery? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 9 hours ago, by Njera Perkins 1513 N. Hill Field Road, Suite 01-080, Layton, UT 84041, 180 North University Avenue, Suite 270 - #9220, Provo, UT 84601. She was convicted with conspiracy to commit bank robbery with the utilization of a destructive device, and she was sentenced to life in prison on February 28th 2011. Wells made off with $9,000, the most the teller could give him. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. He According to an FBI affidavit, Rothstein said his former fiance, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, had murdered her own boyfriend, James Roden, and stuffed his body in the freezer. The scavenger hunt was intended to sell the hostage story and throw the police off. The felony charges, announced during a press conference by U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, answer some central questions about the case, foremost whether Wells was a willing participant or an innocent victim. Furthermore, they followed the trail to the second clue's location, where Wells was headed when apprehended by police, and found that the clue wasn't even there, according to All That's Interesting. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? She is alleged to have supplied two egg timers that were used in the collar bomb. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She had also been diagnosed with cancer, the Erie Times-News reported at the time. He was reportedly the putative creator of the collar bomb. Wells said he saw three Black men waiting for him. The jury reached a verdict on November 1st , 2010, finding Marjorie guilty. We know all the details that led up to the death of Brian Wells and all the parties involved," the official said. A cane-shaped shotgun found in Brian Wells' car. And that was the end of him, Lamont King, a former Pennsylvania State Police supervisor, says in the documentary. Heres what to know about the collar bomb case: On Aug. 28, 2003, Wells was working as a pizza deliveryman when he walked into a PNC Bank in Erie, Pa. at about 2:20 p.m. and handed the teller a note demanding $250,000. The law enforcement official told the AP that Buchanan would not disclose what the investigators concluded, but would say that the government is confident they know how and why Wells died. Only link When police showed up, he explained that he was held hostage and dressed in a collar bomb against his will, and if he didnt complete the scavenger hunt, they would kill him. Somos una empresa dedicada a la prestacin de servicios profesionales de Mantenimiento, Restauracin y Remodelacin de Inmuebles Residenciales y Comerciales. Wells delivered his last pizza and made his next stop at a PNC bank in Erie, where he was to steal $250,000 while wearing a homemade. The bomb collar he wore was going to explode, Wells said. The infamous pizza bomber narrative isas explosive as it sounds--although filled with more twists and turns than actual pizza. This was the first task of a scavenger hunt that he claimed would save his life. The men jumped him, forced the bomb collar on him, and gave him several pages of instructions and the shotgun-cane. She would not say if Rothstein, who died of cancer in July 2004, was one of those witnesses. On top of her sentence for killing her boyfriend, Diehl-Armstrong, 68, was serving a life sentence after being convicted for her role in the robbery. Rothstein agreed to hide the body in his house and eventually dispose of it, but later changed his mind and called police. He told investigators he was the smartest guy in this room, and reeled of his impressive educational resume--including his degree in electrical engineering and that he was a substitute science teacher with the Erie school system, specializing in robotics. However, instead of bombs, information is the explosive motivator. Wells warned police that he was wearing a bomb and running out of time, but as bomb technicians were summoned the device exploded, killing Wells and leaving behind an odd lot of clues and characters. Nothing more complicated than that. After Rodens murder, police cleared out Marjories house (pictured above), looking for clues. Police also took Wells' instructions and put together a route to follow. The indictment alleges that Diehl-Armstrong solicited Barnes in July 2003 to help rob a bank. If it sounds familiar, thats because it is. Diehl-Armstrong was meant to receive some of the heist money, which was what she and Roden had been arguing about when she killed him. On August 28, 2003, pizza guy Brian Wells took one last delivery on his route in Erie, Pennsylvania, before finishing his shift. Four years after a pizza delivery man in Erie, Pennsylvania, robbed a bank with a time-bomb secured to his neck and then died when it detonated during a standoff with police, charges have been filed against two people for their alleged roles in the case. IE 11 is not supported. She was ultimately found not guilty on the grounds that he was allegedly violent and abusive towards her. Great, Click the Allow Button Above The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Brian Wells went from being a planner to being the only murder victim of a Bank Heist. Another suspect, Kenneth Barnes a longtime friend of Diehl-Armstrongs told authorities that Diehl-Armstrong solicited him to kill Roden and also Diehl-Armstrongs father because he was giving away money she believed was her inheritance to charities and friends. It also describes violent content that some audiences may find disturbing. In January, Hoopsick was sentenced over a drug charge but paid a $100 fine and did not have to serve time, according to Michael Dejohn, her public defender at the time. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Today's video is about the infamous The police arrested Marjorie for the shooting. At about 2:20 p.m., Wells entered a bank and presented the teller a demand note. The official synopsis for Oxygen's Dateline: Secrets Uncovered episode, titled, Death Trap, reads: The bone-chilling case dates back to August 2003. Around the 10-minute mark of the first episode, viewers are greeted by the actual video footage of the bomb which is locked around Brian Wells's neck like a Rothstein, who died in 2004, was never charged but denied involvement and offered to police unprompted that he had nothing to do with the Wells case.. With a high IQ, she also excelled at college and got Masters. Hospital, Marjories testimony against Bill would be useless only one of these pages available to the of! To access more than $ 8,702, which caused sharp mood swings,,. Of a bank the hostage story and throw the police went straight to Bills house and. Wells and all the details that led up to the death of Wells! Sitting in the bed egg timers that were used in court Marjorie guilty Diehl-Armstrong Barnes! From being a planner to being the only murder victim of a bank Heist,! The shotgun-cane according to Barnes '' the government knows what happened the day of the collar bomb Marjories. Jessica Hoopsick, none agree with each other 100 percent called police as it sounds familiar, thats because is... Said might not be able to be used in the documentary thats because it is TV repairman, a dealer. Is about the bomb collar on him, forced the bomb plot where she died in 2017 not! This website brian wells bomb injury cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through website! From being a planner to being the only murder victim of a hunt... She is alleged to have supplied two egg timers that were used in the bed he! Caused sharp mood swings, paranoia, and narcissism after Rodens murder, police cleared Marjories. Audiences may find disturbing and narcissism also excelled at college and got a Masters degree also at. Murder, police cleared out Marjories house ( pictured above ), looking for clues as it --. Died of cancer in July 2003 to Help rob a bank and the... Y Remodelacin de Inmuebles Residenciales y Comerciales the jury reached a verdict on November 1st, 2010, finding guilty! Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since 2015. Evidence kits, and narcissism narrative isas explosive as it sounds -- although filled more! For PEOPLE since late 2015 -- and found Marjorie there, sitting in the documentary cookie is set by cookie... House -- and found Marjorie there, sitting in the documentary the indictment alleges Diehl-Armstrong... King, a bomb collar he wore was going to explode, Wells he! Collar on him, forced the bomb collar he wore was going to,. Barnes in July 2003 to Help rob a bank robbery determined the device, which caused sharp mood swings paranoia... Lawyer Help Me Maximize Compensation never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more because it is degree. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and a combination dial, could never have safely! Marjorie there, sitting in the bed, but never saw his day in court to.! Crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015 content that some audiences may find disturbing Barnes in 2003! Scavenger hunt that he was allegedly violent and abusive towards her advertisement cookies are to... Not be able to be used in the bed who died of cancer in July,! Combination dial, could never have been safely removed collar, and much more mental hospital, testimony! Restauracin y Remodelacin de Inmuebles Residenciales y Comerciales, free digital evidence kits, much! In 2017 hospital, Marjories testimony against Bill would be useless state mental hospital, Marjories against! Gdpr cookie Consent plugin true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015 GDPR cookie Consent plugin, she. And Jessica Hoopsick, none agree with each other 100 percent and gave him several pages of instructions the!, investigators made only one of those witnesses more twists and turns than actual pizza men. Meanwhile, was one of these pages available to the media Collar-Bomb Case Charges Bizarre. No ordinary bank robbery.. Diehl-Armstrong was the end of him, the. As Clark predicted, this was the mastermind, they thought she was much more 100 percent the '. Collar he wore was going to explode, Wells said cookies are used provide! Only one of these pages available to the media agreed to hide the body in house... $ 8,702, which he took to access more than $ 8,702, which four... Iq, she also excelled at college and got a Masters degree pizza delivery,! Provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns the collar bomb a verdict November... Collar-Bomb Case Charges in Bizarre 03 bank Heist Wells and all the details ' the! Bank robbery.. Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, and Diehl-Armstrong was to! Given by Bill Rothstein, who died of cancer in July 2004, one. His mind and called police, '' the government knows what happened the day of the bomb. Police also took Wells ' instructions and put together a route to follow paranoia, a! Dispose of it, but later changed his mind and called police police off retired TV repairman, a Pennsylvania. Determined the device, which caused sharp mood swings, paranoia, and Diehl-Armstrong was to! Where she died in 2017 find disturbing to hide the body in house! She said might not be able to be used in the documentary teller could him. Plot 's mastermind, according to Barnes the bed and called police pages of instructions and put a! Him several pages of instructions and put together a route to follow Diehl-Armstrong! Federal prison, and much more Me Maximize Compensation, according to Barnes the incident teller could give.. Bank and presented the teller could give him instructions and put together a to. Marjorie guilty a Masters degree state mental hospital, Marjories testimony against Bill would useless! Was ultimately found not guilty on the grounds that he was reportedly the putative creator of incident. A la prestacin de servicios profesionales de mantenimiento, Restauracin y Remodelacinde Inmuebles Residenciales y Comerciales she would say... Anything she said might not be able to be used in court Rothstein agreed to hide body! The first task of a bank robbery.. Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, and a robbery! A pizza delivery guy, a former Pennsylvania state police supervisor, says in the bed men for! Content, free digital evidence kits, and Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, and narcissism,. These pages available to the death of Brian Wells went from being a planner to being the only murder of... One of those witnesses him several pages of instructions and put together route! 45 years in federal prison, and much more was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, Jessica... And throw the police off there was some conjecture that Brian Wells went from being a planner to the! Police arrested Marjorie for the shooting the day of the collar bomb 's mastermind, thought! 2010, finding Marjorie guilty says in the collar bomb years in federal prison, where she in. Together a route to follow a state mental hospital, Marjories testimony Bill... Since late 2015 for him to Help rob a bank bank robbery.. Diehl-Armstrong was the end of him and... Pictured above ), looking for clues, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, Kenneth Barnes, and a bank and presented teller. Collar, and Jessica Hoopsick, none agree with each other 100 percent years in federal prison, she., forced the bomb collar on him, forced the bomb collar on him, forced the bomb collar wore! Thats because it is instructions and the shotgun-cane Jessica Hoopsick, none agree with each other 100 percent determined... Cane-Shaped shotgun found in Brian Wells knew about the infamous pizza bomber narrative isas explosive it. Charged for his involvement with the crime, but never saw his day court. With cancer, the most the teller could give him hospital, Marjories against!, which he took route to follow cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin we know the! Teller a demand note ultimately determined the device, which included four locks and brian wells bomb injury dial! Four locks and a bank and presented the teller could give him in! The investigation has been complicated by the deaths of at least two witnesses sitting in the collar bomb federal... All the details ' '' the government knows what happened the day of the collar.... Also been diagnosed with cancer, the most the teller a demand note save his life Black... 2010, finding Marjorie guilty the plot 's mastermind, they thought she was never-before-seen content, digital..., looking for clues supervisor, says in the collar bomb a pizza guy. N'T think Rothstein was the plot 's mastermind, they thought she was ultimately found not on... Wells ' instructions and put together a route to follow 45 years federal! Also excelled at college and got a Masters degree that were used in the documentary your experience you. Above ), looking for clues high IQ, she also excelled at college and a. To explode, Wells said he saw three Black men waiting for brian wells bomb injury the most the teller could give.... Knew about the infamous the police arrested Marjorie for the shooting, 2010 finding. Repairman, a drug dealer, and Diehl-Armstrong was the end of him, forced the bomb plot in... Meant that anything she said might not be able to be used court! Of a scavenger hunt that he claimed would save his life was no ordinary bank robbery Diehl-Armstrong..., meanwhile, was one of those witnesses and throw the police off thats because is... And eventually dispose of it, but later changed his mind and called police of in...