Contractor Takes Stand In Building Collapse Trial
By John McDevitt
PHILADLEPHIA (CBS) -- The demolition contractor facing six counts of murder in the 2013 Center City building collapse was called to the stand in his own defense Wednesday. Testimony resumes in the morning.
Fifty-one-year-old Griffin Campbell was called to the stand by his attorney Willam Hobson.
He answered questions about his background and admitted he had no formal education or extensive experience in demolition.
Campbell talked about buying inexpensive homes in North Philadelphia starting in the late 1990s, renovating them and renting them out.
He testified he became friendly with architect Plato Marinakos who hired Campbell Construction to do the Market Street demolition for $112,000.
Campbell testified the architect got $5,000 off the top in exchange for the contract.
Campbell also said he agreed to pay another $5,000 to Marinakos for another job he was doing at the same time as work on Market Street was happening.
Defense lawyer Willam Hobson asked if he thought paying him a fee was wrong. Campbell responded no.
Cross examination by the prosecution is expected at some point Thursday.