TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[faw720]

"Ex-West EMT moved to undisclosed Location"

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/west_e...cle_526d71ea-c415-5f15-aff4-19950e95affe.html



Well, that's kinda interesting. Two intial thoughts (of which could be right or wrong, just sayin'): 1) Federal detention psych ward or 2) there IS a second jail facility in the area - so maybe it's just semantics when they say he's been moved from the McLennan County Jail.

Hmmmm. But that his atty says they "found some middle ground" and agreed to move him, makes me kinda think it's psych related. JMO and MOO


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Looking forward to today's release of the report.

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And 4 weeks to the night (a Wednesday), prayers need to go out to Granbury, TX, a little north of West - 6 confirmed dead in the horrible storm, and I think I heard 14 missing as of the 6am news. I'm concerned about my former horse trainers that live in Cleburne - there are normally about 50-60 horses on that property, and Cleburne (right next to Granbury) got hit so hard. Ugh.

From what we've heard about Reed so far, a psych facility makes sense. Even if the guy is innocent of any criminal activity he does appear to have serious issues.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

From what we've heard about Reed so far, a psych facility makes sense. Even if the guy is innocent of any criminal activity he does appear to have serious issues.

The more I think about it, a psych facility and eval would make sense with his court proceedings being delayed indefinitely. Delayed until the eval is completed and he's been treated.

Not fact, of course, just DD thinking outloud with her fingers, LOL

 

[mysteriew]

Actually I hadn't thought of that. That could explain delaying the detention hearing as well as explain the move. But if that is what is going on there, this attorney is going to be someone to watch. IMO the way he has worded about the move and about the delay in the detention hearing he makes it sound like the prosecution asked for it and since it was benefical to his client he agreed to it.

I still have figured out if they are reducing the charges on him or what else is going on. Hoping there is more info in the PC.

 

[BeginnersLuck]

I tend to lean toward this being for psych reasons. He clearly needs help from his FB postings even before the explosion and other stressful events that took place after the explosion just piled high on top of whatever he was initially dealing with. This is most likely for his own safety.

 

[MsFacetious]

So if this is true...

Intentional is NOT ruled out...
but since official cause will be "undetermined" no one will be able to be charged for it.

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Quoting an unnamed government official, The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday morning that investigators traced the fire that led to the powerful explosion to a golf cart, the fertilizer and seed building’s electrical system or an intentional act.

Investigators will officially list the cause as undetermined, the newspaper reported.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/...ly-West-Explosion-207728311.html#.UZUiRMpZ63o

 

[mysteriew]

So if this is true...

Intentional is NOT ruled out...
but since official cause will be "undetermined" no one will be able to be charged for it.

------------------------------

Quoting an unnamed government official, The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday morning that investigators traced the fire that led to the powerful explosion to a golf cart, the fertilizer and seed building’s electrical system or an intentional act.

Investigators will officially list the cause as undetermined, the newspaper reported.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/...ly-West-Explosion-207728311.html#.UZUiRMpZ63o

I don't know. Calling it undetermined just means the examination of the site did not show the cause. If the cause is found through some other type of investigation, wouldn't they still be able to charge?

Let's say they find that someone ordered certain materials in the months before the explosion. That that person had access to the site and no alibi. And maybe had hinted before or after the explosion of something that will or did happen. (Would make a very circumstantial case but maybe doable.) Or let's say they get a confession. I would think they would be able to file charges in that case. The defense could use the other possibilities as reasonable doubt, but it would be up to the jury to decide then.

 

[jjenny]

Golf cart? Golf carts don't normally explode, as far as I can tell.
If they were to get a confession, yes, I am sure they could charge someone. But it doesn't sound like anyone is going to confess any time soon.

 

[MsFacetious]

You would have to be a TOTAL idiot to confess after they say "We can't determine the cause."
If they believe it was intentional and believe they might get a confession...
They need to cancel the press conference and silence their "source." :twocents:

 

[jjenny]

You would have to be a TOTAL idiot to confess after they say "We can't determine the cause."
If they believe it was intentional and believe they might get a confession...
They need to cancel the press conference and silence their "source." :twocents:

There have been some confessions where nobody even suspected the person. They went in voluntarily and confessed. So it's possible, assuming the person has the capacity to feel guilty.

 

[faw720]

I'm more than a little upset. All the TV stations in DFW are only reporting on the tornados. They did not carry PC live except for about a minute. Tried live streaming but my computer speakers are worthless.

Am anxious to hear info from all of you.

 

[jjenny]

Yep. Cause remains undetermined.

"Investigators said the fire began in a fertilizer and seed building called the "seed room." The said the possible causes included arson, a failure of one of the two electrical systems and a compromised battery on a golf cart. They said they couldn't rule out the golf cart because it hadn't been fully recovered from the scene."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...out-in-texas-fertilizer-plant-explosions?lite

 

[BeginnersLuck]

I don't know. Calling it undetermined just means the examination of the site did not show the cause. If the cause is found through some other type of investigation, wouldn't they still be able to charge?

Let's say they find that someone ordered certain materials in the months before the explosion. That that person had access to the site and no alibi. And maybe had hinted before or after the explosion of something that will or did happen. (Would make a very circumstantial case but maybe doable.) Or let's say they get a confession. I would think they would be able to file charges in that case. The defense could use the other possibilities as reasonable doubt, but it would be up to the jury to decide then.

Ruling the cause undetermined would leave the investigation open. It could take a long time to compile evidence if they are investigating this as a possible intentional act. Along with the things you mentioned above, they could analyze computers.

I haven't heard much town talk but maybe BR and friends have made pipe bombs in the past and that was a hobby for them. I've known pletty of boys/men that growning up and living in the country, would do a lot of things you couldn't get away with in the city.

Now, if he wasn't known to do this kind of thing and all of a sudden had these materials on him, asks a friend to hold them (WTF), then I would find that more suspicious.

I have known people that lie about credentials and compulsively tell stories about themselves and others that aren't true. I don't understand the psychology behind this and wish one of our psych professionals here could provide me with a term for this behavior. That, combined with the hero syndrome and the odd way of disposing of the materials he had certainly strikes a cord with me, when it comes to speculation that he may have played a part in this. I certainly hope that's not the case.

 

[BeginnersLuck]

Yep. Cause remains undetermined.

"Investigators said the fire began in a fertilizer and seed building called the "seed room." The said the possible causes included arson, a failure of one of the two electrical systems and a compromised battery on a golf cart. They said they couldn't rule out the golf cart because it hadn't been fully recovered from the scene."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...out-in-texas-fertilizer-plant-explosions?lite

Also from that article:

Because the inquiry is being handled as a criminal matter, Champion and other investigators refused to go into many details of their investigation.
In addition, a paramedic who helped the victims, identified as Bryce Reed, was arrested the same day and later pleaded not guilty to a count of unlawfully possessing an unregistered destructive device.
Champion wouldn't comment on whether Reed's arrest may be connected to the explosions.

This tells me they are still heavily investigating this as a potential criminal matter. I think they have to at least try and completely rule this out because of possible further endangerment to others. I wonder if there were any issues going on with BR and any one else as far as his job and other things. Did someone call him out on his lies? Was his wife blind to the fact that he lied about things all the time? Sorry, I just can't get over the LIES! :banghead:

 

[MsFacetious]

Yes, his wife could be blind to that fact.
That's how men cheat, commit crimes and live secret lives.

Look at Lori Hacking for example.
Look at the Green River Killer... his wife had NO clue.

It does happen. There are women who are enormously trusting and naive.

I know one who married a guy with a dead first wife.
She took his word for it, that she died of natural causes.

Never even saw the death certificate.
She even ignored people who tried to offer proof the woman was murdered BEFORE she married the guy.

Basically Stacy Peterson all over again (except this woman is still alive, for now.)

I don't understand people who are that trusting. I just don't. :twocents:

 

[mysteriew]

Also from the above link:

Investigators said the fire began in a fertilizer and seed building called the "seed room." The said the possible causes included arson, a failure of one of the two electrical systems and a compromised battery on a golf cart. They said they couldn't rule out the golf cart because it hadn't been fully recovered from the scene.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...out-in-texas-fertilizer-plant-explosions?lite

IMO they are saying the golf cart mainly because it was there, and could have been an ignition source. Because it wasn't all there it can't be ruled out.

 

[faw720]

Yep. Cause remains undetermined.

"Investigators said the fire began in a fertilizer and seed building called the "seed room." The said the possible causes included arson, a failure of one of the two electrical systems and a compromised battery on a golf cart. They said they couldn't rule out the golf cart because it hadn't been fully recovered from the scene."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...out-in-texas-fertilizer-plant-explosions?lite

I am so sorry that the cause is undetermined. That is going to be an open wound for the community & they have suffered enough already.

Hopefully with an ongoing criminal investigation something can be discovered.

Question for the locals.........were fires a frequent happening at the plant? I've heard something in the past about meth cookers causing problems.

 

[BeginnersLuck]

What is a seed room at a fertilizer plant? Sorry if this has been ask before.

 

[MrsWilco]

I am so sorry that the cause is undetermined. That is going to be an open wound for the community & they have suffered enough already.

Hopefully with an ongoing criminal investigation something can be discovered.

Question for the locals.........were fires a frequent happening at the plant? I've heard something in the past about meth cookers causing problems.

I've heard a couple of rumors (and unconfirmed rumors at that) of small grass fires in the area in the weeks leading up to the explosion. I don't put a lot of stock in those because they've been of the "I heard but don't know from whom" variety. There's meth in this area but I haven't heard of any speculation about meth cooking being a problem in an around West.

 

[faw720]

I've heard a couple of rumors (and unconfirmed rumors at that) of small grass fires in the area in the weeks leading up to the explosion. I don't put a lot of stock in those because they've been of the "I heard but don't know from whom" variety. There's meth in this area but I haven't heard of any speculation about meth cooking being a problem in an around West.

Thanks! What I heard was probably some media speculation right after the explosion. If there were meth cookers around there, you would probably have heard about it.

 

[BeginnersLuck]

I've heard a couple of rumors (and unconfirmed rumors at that) of small grass fires in the area in the weeks leading up to the explosion. I don't put a lot of stock in those because they've been of the "I heard but don't know from whom" variety. There's meth in this area but I haven't heard of any speculation about meth cooking being a problem in an around West.

I hate to say anything from a standpoint of being miles away. I am a visual person and it's so difficult for me make a educated "guess" unless I get a first hand look. I would certainly hope that they had ruled out grass fires as being the cause as well. I think from the last three things they ruled it down to, this would have been eliminated. I wish I knew the terrain better. It sounds like it's down to a battery on a golf cart, a electrical fire and arson.

I know that in the country farmers have had chemicals stolen by people to make meth. I'm clueless about the production of meth and was wondering if someone may have tried to steal something from the plant for those reasons.

Also, I am curious if there are people working there 24/7 and/or are their security guards there if not. Again, I apologize if this has already been addressed.