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American Morning
Police, FBI Investigators Still Trying to Unravel Mystery Surrounding Bombing Death of Bank Robber
Aired September 18, 2003 - 08:20 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Another story that continues to be a mystery. Police and FBI investigators are still trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the bombing death of a bank robber in Erie, Pennsylvania. Authorities don't know who locked a bomb around the neck of pizza deliveryman Brian Wells. He told police he was being forced to rob a bank last month. Wells had a note instructing him to go to several locations after the bank heist.
Well, the FBI is now looking for two persons of interest in the case.
Joining us from Washington with more on the investigation is Kevin Johnson, who is with "USA Today" and is reporting on this investigation.
Good morning, Kevin.
Nice to see you.
KEVIN JOHNSON, "USA TODAY": Good morning.
O'BRIEN: Three theories, three scenarios have been laid out by virtually every investigator, which is either Brian Wells was a victim in this case, Brian Wells was a perpetrator of the bombing or Brian Wells was in cahoots in some way with whoever put the bomb around his neck.
Any evidence at this point which would lead investigators to solidly pick one of those theories?
JOHNSON: Well, I think that they have eliminated the idea that he was involved alone. A week ago, I believe, the investigators had indicated that that was the least likely of all scenarios. They also don't have any direct evidence that would indicate that he was involved willingly in the event.
So that leaves the idea that there are others out there who overwhelmed him and coerced him or forced him to go on this robbery and carry out this strange set of directions, or at least part way.
O'BRIEN: Much has been made at this point of Brian Wells' demeanor right before the bomb went off. He never named names. The only thing he said was "he." He originally was asking the police, why is no one taking this off of me? But then he grew very quiet. And some people say the fact that he was not overly agitated, by some people's assumptions there, that means that he did play a role. Can you give me some insight into what police are looking into in those actions?
JOHNSON: Yes, I think that there are some competing views of his behavior during those last moments of his life. One is, as you say, the police who were on the scene didn't pick up the sense that he was panicked or overly agitated. However, there are others who are of the view that this was a guy who actually made pleas as directly as he could with -- was within his own personal character. And, but then not seeing any help arrive, resigned himself, perhaps, to a violent death that he may have known was coming.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little bit about the persons of interest in the case. Who exactly are police looking for and how is that investigation going?
JOHNSON: Well, they have put out two composite sketches of men with shaggy hair, as you see on the screen here, one with a hat on, the other was a person who they saw in the vicinity of the bank around the time of the robbery. These, again, these are people who they have not designated as suspects yet, but people that witnesses have described who may have information or may have seen something in the area that may help police.
O'BRIEN: It is a bizarre case and so far it doesn't look like it's going to be cleared up any time soon.
Kevin Johnson from "USA Today," it's nice to see you.
Thanks for joining us.
JOHNSON: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Surrounding Bombing Death of Bank Robber>
Aired September 18, 2003 - 08:20 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Another story that continues to be a mystery. Police and FBI investigators are still trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the bombing death of a bank robber in Erie, Pennsylvania. Authorities don't know who locked a bomb around the neck of pizza deliveryman Brian Wells. He told police he was being forced to rob a bank last month. Wells had a note instructing him to go to several locations after the bank heist.
Well, the FBI is now looking for two persons of interest in the case.
Joining us from Washington with more on the investigation is Kevin Johnson, who is with "USA Today" and is reporting on this investigation.
Good morning, Kevin.
Nice to see you.
KEVIN JOHNSON, "USA TODAY": Good morning.
O'BRIEN: Three theories, three scenarios have been laid out by virtually every investigator, which is either Brian Wells was a victim in this case, Brian Wells was a perpetrator of the bombing or Brian Wells was in cahoots in some way with whoever put the bomb around his neck.
Any evidence at this point which would lead investigators to solidly pick one of those theories?
JOHNSON: Well, I think that they have eliminated the idea that he was involved alone. A week ago, I believe, the investigators had indicated that that was the least likely of all scenarios. They also don't have any direct evidence that would indicate that he was involved willingly in the event.
So that leaves the idea that there are others out there who overwhelmed him and coerced him or forced him to go on this robbery and carry out this strange set of directions, or at least part way.
O'BRIEN: Much has been made at this point of Brian Wells' demeanor right before the bomb went off. He never named names. The only thing he said was "he." He originally was asking the police, why is no one taking this off of me? But then he grew very quiet. And some people say the fact that he was not overly agitated, by some people's assumptions there, that means that he did play a role. Can you give me some insight into what police are looking into in those actions?
JOHNSON: Yes, I think that there are some competing views of his behavior during those last moments of his life. One is, as you say, the police who were on the scene didn't pick up the sense that he was panicked or overly agitated. However, there are others who are of the view that this was a guy who actually made pleas as directly as he could with -- was within his own personal character. And, but then not seeing any help arrive, resigned himself, perhaps, to a violent death that he may have known was coming.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little bit about the persons of interest in the case. Who exactly are police looking for and how is that investigation going?
JOHNSON: Well, they have put out two composite sketches of men with shaggy hair, as you see on the screen here, one with a hat on, the other was a person who they saw in the vicinity of the bank around the time of the robbery. These, again, these are people who they have not designated as suspects yet, but people that witnesses have described who may have information or may have seen something in the area that may help police.
O'BRIEN: It is a bizarre case and so far it doesn't look like it's going to be cleared up any time soon.
Kevin Johnson from "USA Today," it's nice to see you.
Thanks for joining us.
JOHNSON: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Surrounding Bombing Death of Bank Robber>
