STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Suspect in Explosion Near Colorado NAACP Office Denied Bail

A judge says a man accused of setting off a small explosion last month near a Colorado NAACP office is a danger to the community and must stay jailed without bail.

DENVER (AP) — A judge says a man accused of setting off a small explosion last month near a Colorado NAACP office is a danger to the community and must stay jailed without bail.

At a hearing Tuesday, a public defender argued 44-year-old Thaddeus Murphy was angry at one person and is not a danger to wider the community.

The blast drew national attention because of its proximity to the Colorado Springs office of the nation's oldest civil rights organization. But Murphy told investigators he had financial problems and was actually targeting an accountant who once worked in the building.

It's unclear if he knew the accountant, Steve DeHaven, died in June.

Magistrate Judge Michael Watanabe says Murphy suffers from mental illnesses including anxiety and depression and is a flight risk because of a history of missing court appearances.

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: AP Photo/Colorado Department of Corrections, HO)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.