A Dane County judge delays the destruction of dozens of chemicals seized from a suspected bomb-maker's Madison apartment, cautious over preserving evidence.
The Environmental Protection Agency wanted to destroy the chemicals Thursday, but Judge Timothy Samuelson directed a prosecutor and Brian Campbell's attorney to pare down the chemical destruction list.Deputy Dane County District Attorney Matthew Moeser says potentially explosive materials seized from Campbell's apartment last month have already been secured by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives. Records show the materials included time-delay fuses.EPA's list for its planned destruction of other materials from the apartment includes every day household items such as toilet bowl cleaner and brake fluid."I'm fine with the EPA doing what they want as a long as that's not going to be affirmatively used against my client's evidence," Campbell's attorney, Sarah Schmeiser says.Moeser says the chemicals in Campbell's apartment were chaotically stored, creating a hazard, and supporting the felony charge of reckless endangerment against him.Moeser says he's deferring to the EPA's concerns over the continued storage of the mix of chemicals, noting no Madison law enforcement or fire agency had the ability to store the seized substances.The 30-year old Campbell is also charged with possessing explosives, and remains jailed, with bail set at $100,000.
Authorities have offered no motive for Campbell's suspected bomb making. In a 2016 battery case against Campbell, he was required to write a letter to a deferred prosecution program. He revealed animosity over his treatment. "I have a greater capacity for empathy with those who are similarly railroaded through the criminal justice system," Campbell wrote.
Samuelson asks for an agreement between attorneys on the chemical destruction list by Friday.