Key Figure In 2013 Thrift Store Collapse Takes The Stand In Civil Trial
by Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of the key figures in the deadly Salvation Army Thrift Store collapse in 2013 is on the stand at the civil trial to determine any financial liability.
Plato Marinakos, who was given immunity from prosecution during the criminal trial for his testimony, acknowledged to a civil jury: he was very upset the day before the June 5th, 2013 collapse.
He went to the demolition site next door and saw more than 30 empty joist pockets exposing a four-floor unbraced, unsupported wall.
Plantiff's lawyer Robert Mongeluzzi pressed him, and Marinakos acknowledged that he thought it was a crazy situation because it could topple over.
Mongeluzzi pushed again, "was it imminently dangerous?"
Marinakos paused, then replied, "no, not if the demolition contractor immediately dealt with it the night before the collapse."
Then Mongeluzzi told jurors that Marinakos told jurors at the criminal trial, three different times, that it was imminently dangerous.