In The Press : Miscellaneous Cases
Serious Charge Dropped Against Two “Bomb“ Suspects
ABC27
Thursday February 05, 2009
By Ali Lanyon
Swatara Township, Pa. – Prosecutors say 20-year-old Colter Vasser and 18-year-old Matthew Weaser weren’t doing anything “evil” when they made two dozen homemade pipe bombs.
In fact, prosecutors now compare the devices to “homemade fireworks.”
Thursday, prosecutors dropped the felony charge of risking a catastrophe against the two suspects.
“I think you have two kids here really just trying to have some fun and unfortunately they did it in a very dangerous way,” said prosecutor Steve Zawisky.
The pair will still head to trial on misdemeanor weapons charges.
“They weren’t using these items to blow anything up,” Zawisky said.
Vasser and Weaser were arrested in December after police discovered the devices in their Highland Street home. At the time, police described the “pipe bombs” as gun powder placed into a CO2 container usually used for paintball guns.
Weaser’s attorney declined to comment after the hearing.
Vasser’s attorney said the two did nothing malicious.
“They were playing with fireworks,” attorney Tim Barrouk said. “No different than play with an M-80 or something that you would purchase on your way back from South Carolina.”
Weaser is free on bail. Vasser is still being held behind bars on a probation detainer.
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