Building Collapse: Griffin Campbell Charged With Murder

The contractor will be held without bail.

District Attorney Seth Williams says greed was Griffin Campbell’s motive for botching the demolition of Hoagie City, the building that fell on top of the Salvation Army thrift store, killing six people and injuring 13. Campbell has now been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, reports philly.com. Other potential charges: recklessly endangering another person, causing catastrophe and criminal conspiracy.

A grand jury investigation revealed dangerous shortcuts Campbell took, such as “remov[ing] wooden joists holding up the floors, to increase his potential profit, since the joists can be resold, officials said. That mean taking down the building from the inside out, rather than the top down, and left exterior walls unsupported.”

The grand jury investigation continues.

Contractor charged with third-degree murder in Market Street building collapse