CHARGES FILED IN 'METH LAB' EXPLOSION

January 24, 2002

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. has filed formal charges against two men in connection with a deadly explosion at a Denver duplex on January 16, 2002.

Darryl Willis (DOB: 9-22-54) and James Campbell (DOB: 7-22-73) are charged with two counts each of reckless manslaughter (F4), manufacture of methamphetamine (F3); possession of methamphetamine (F4) and fourth degree arson (F4).

An explosion and fire occurred in the basement of a duplex at 310 South Lincoln Street on January 16, 2002. The bodies of two women were discovered in a basement crawl space after Denver firefighters put out the fire.

The charges allege that Willis and Campbell were making methamphetamine and recklessly caused the death of the two women.

Campbell and Willis remain in police custody. Campbell is in the Denver County Jail and Willis remains hospitalized in fair condition. Campbell is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court, room 12T, at 8:30 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2002, to be formally advised of the charges against him.

18-3-104. Manslaughter. (1) A person commits the crime of manslaughter if: (a) Such person recklessly causes the death of another person.

18-4-105. Fourth degree arson. (1) A person who knowingly or recklessly starts or maintains a fire or causes an explosion, on his own property or that of another, and by so doing places another in danger of death or serious bodily injury or places any building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage commits fourth degree arson.

*The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6