Jurors In Market Street Collapse Case Hear Closing Arguments In Trial Of Contractor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia jury will soon decide if demolition contractor Griffin Campbell is criminally responsible for the Market Street collapse in 2013 that took six lives inside a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Center City.
After emotional closing arguments by the defense and prosecutors, Judge Glenn Bronson gave jurors legal instructions, before they began deliberations.
The defense claims Griffin Campbell deferred to whom it called "the architect of this disaster" - Plato Marinakos, on the "methods and means" of taking down buildings around the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Raising his voice, defense lawyer William Hobson yelled "Plato got the deal!" The DA's office gave the on site architect, Plato Marinakos immunity from prosecution for his testimony.
Hobson also told jurors the only other person charged, heavy equipment operator Sean Benschop, whom was stoned - high on marijuana on the job - was guilty the moment the walls collapsed.
Benschop pleaded guilty and faces 10-20-years in prison.
Assistant DA Ed Cameron told jurors Campbell "pulled out the guts and spine of the building, destabilizing it by talking out floors and joists," cutting corners that led to the collapse.
