This episode is sad. When he was arrested after robbing the bank, the bomb went off and killed Wells. Melissa Chan of Time wrote; "Hoopsick says a conspirator approached her to find a 'gopher' who could be scared into robbing a bank". Apparently she's being charged with setting Brian up. He was going to die no matter what. Is 30 minutes or less a true story? A report in US Weekly reveals that on August 28, 2003, a pizza deliveryman named Brian Wells robbed a PNC Bank in Erie, Pennsylvania. The owner could not understand the customer and passed the phone to Wells, who received a call to deliver two pizzas to 8631 Peach Street, an address a few miles from the pizzeria. Rothstein, believed to be an architect of the pizza bomber plot, died of cancer on July 30, 2004. rams defensive scheme . He was 60. When Wells discovered that the bomb was real, Barnes said a pistol was fired in order to force Wells' compliance, and witnesses confirmed hearing a gunshot. We were in a tough spot. The creators of Evil Genius say they hope their documentary helps bring some closure to Wells family and ramp up enough public interest in the case to gain access to sealed grand jury documents that provide more answers on the collar bomb case. [2][23], The bomb used in the killing consisted of a hinged collar that worked like a large handcuff to go around the neck, four keyholes that went under the chin, and a rectangular section that contained two pipe bombs and two kitchen timers. [40], On September 20, 2003, Rothstein, who lived near the television tower, called police to inform them the body of a man, James Roden, was hidden in a freezer in a garage at his house. "Either way, Mr Wells died a horrific death that we'll never forget him for, but the fact that he might not have had knowledge is not really related to the evidence gained.". You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ppeirce_trib. Diehl-Armstrong died of breast cancer at 68 on April 4, 2017, while serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, a women's prison near Fort Worth, Texas. Following an attempt to rob a PNC Bank, and while surrounded by police, Wells was murdered when an explosive collar locked to his neck detonated. She also claimed Wells was a victim of the conspirators and knew nothing of the planned heist prior to having the device locked to his neck by Floyd Stockton and given instructions to rob the bank. [55][56] In December 2015, Diehl-Armstrong lost a second appeal of her conviction. ", "Erie pizza bomber co-plotter Ken Barnes dies in prison", "Unraveling The Mysteries Of The Pizza Bomber", "Man with 'Pizza Bomber' connections dies in WA state", "Another chapter in the Erie pizza bomber case ends as Floyd Stockton dies with 'immunity', "Erie Bomb Victim was the Dupe in a Greedy Plan", "Pizza Deliveryman Who Robbed Bank Had Neck Measured for Bomb Collar", "Erie bomb victim was the dupe in a greedy plan", "Bizarre story of pizza-delivery man blown up by collar-bomb still an enigma eight years later", "Who was the Pizza Bomber? William Ansel "Bill" Rothstein (January 17, 1944 July 30, 2004) dated Diehl-Armstrong in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Thomas weighs approximately 300 pounds and Butler weighed approximately 120 pounds, investigators wrote in the affidavit of probable cause. They had long suspected her involvement but didnt have enough evidence to build a case against her. I'm very sorry," Thomas said in court. Brian Wells was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, to Rose and Harold Wells, the latter of whom was a Korean War veteran. They just dont want to admit anymore wrongdoings. Hoopsick was among a few people that Thomas sought out when she wanted to buy crack cocaine after Butler's death, he said. Deceased (19492017) I definitely want justice for Brians memory. Wells said three unnamed black people had placed a bomb around his neck, provided him with the shotgun, and told him they would kill him unless he committed the robbery and completed several other tasks. Something that shocked many viewers of Evil Genius wasBorzillieris relationship with Diehl-Armstrong. In the documentary, Hoopsick claimed that she was a favorite prostitute for Wells and that she set him up at the request of the organizers of the robbery plot. They screwed up big time. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Barnes, 64, who suffers from severe diabetes, is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center at Butner, North Carolina, near Raleigh. Yes but Im torn about this at least she tries to do the right thing eventually. [14] Rothstein was a handyman and part-time shop teacher, and was part of a group called the "fractured intellectuals"; intelligent people who were not well-adjusted. Are examples of Marjorie happening around the world?, Schroeder added, Its easy to say she was mentally ill and the system didnt do what it shouldve done, her parents didnt do what they shouldve done maybe everyone bears a little blame The saddest moments for me are the amount of therapy and analysis she had. [53] On February 28, 2011, she was sentenced to life in prison, to be served consecutively with the prison term imposed in 2005 for killing Roden. The fact that shes saying it, you got to wonder why.. [59] Admitting to setting up Wells in exchange for money and drugs,[58] Hoopsick expressed regret for her role and said Wells had no advance knowledge of the robbery. Apparently Jessica Hoopsick is currently getting arrested. [43], In late 2005, Barnes, who was in jail on unrelated drug charges, was turned in by his brother-in-law after revealing details of the crime to him. How much did the teller at the bank give Brian Wells? [30][31], Wells was instructed to claim that three black men had forced the bomb on him and were holding him as a hostage. Did Jessica hoopsick get charged? [49], On February 24, 2009, Judge McLaughlin scheduled a hearing for March 11, 2010, to determine whether Diehl-Armstrong was now competent to stand trial. It did so, by her participating in the documentary., He added, The relationship evolved. The deceased Rothstein and Wells were named as un-indicted co-conspirators. Jessica has several children that have been adopted. She worked out of Ken Barnes' crack house, and the. Investigators said Rothstein made the time-bomb collar using two egg timers provided by Diehl-Armstrong. You had four conspirators who got out ahead of it, because the case went cold for two years and they were infusing information about the case to their benefit, trying to avoid the death penalty. "I can't get my brother back.". Jessica Hoopsick The 38-year-old Erie resident was working as a prostitute when she met Brian Wells, the victim in the pizza bomber case. We do hope that the documentary spawns questions about mental health and that the light that is shining on Marjorie now can we use that light to reflect where we are today with mental health? said Borzillieri. The plot subsequently uncovered has been described as "one of the most complicated and bizarre crimes" in the history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).[1]. two boyfriends I think that if anyone implicated themselves, it was her, as being a conspirator, in bringing him to the table, Wick said. Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? The sentence from Erie County Judge William R. Cunningham cut two to four years from the maximum possible sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison for third-degree murder, or an unpremeditated killing with malice. In the documentary, she expressed regret for her actions, and revealed that Wells didnt have any prior knowledge of the heist. "The thing that's accurate that she does say that I fully agree with as the investigator is that she introduced [Brian Wells] to these people. makes no sense to me at all. Law enforcement was really tight-lipped, and Rothstein had died, saidBorzillieri. When Jessica Hoopsick, a hooker and intimate friend of Wells, was interviewed for 'Evil Genius', she told Trey Borzillieri, co-producer of the series, she was approached to find a "gopher". [55] In January 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court denied her petition for certiorari, declining to hear her case. We could do a Good Genius, too., The best documentaries are enlightening, infuriating and sometimes even frightening Making a Murderer certainly was. Jessica Hoopsick, a prostitute whom Brian Wells frequented, became a key witness for the FBI in unraveling the pizza bomber case. I cant imagine if she was charged in a murder case they would let her sit on the ground . Could Wells really have been a victim of the same bank robbery he helped carry out? She kept well-known company: Jessica Hoopsick, infamous for her role in the pizza bomber case, was one of the people Thomas reached out to after her boyfriend's death, the prosecution said. [5] In 2012, investigator Jerry Clark and journalist Ed Palattella published Pizza Bomber: The Untold Story of America's Most Shocking Bank Robbery (.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}ISBN0425250555), a true-crime book detailing the events. She was serving a life sentence plus 30 years for the bank robbery plot. When he reached the counter, he began sucking a lollipop. The man who claims to have been her common-law husband, Mark Marvin, who lives near Poughkeepsie, New York, has unsuccessfully argued in federal court that Diehl-Armstrong might not be dead, and if she is dead, that the government should release her remains to him for a Quaker burial. He got the 45-year sentence in December 2008, but after his testimony and Diehl-Armstrong's conviction, a judge halved the sentence in 2011. Hoopsick was arrested on a prostitution charge in Greensburg in June. Hoopsick could not be reached by TIME, despite multiple efforts. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. [16][5] Rothstein was the putative creator of the collar bomb. Investigators concluded Wells was a willing participant in the robbery, but was told the bomb was fake. Prosecutors claimed Wells was in on the heist but thought the bomb was a decoy. A kind of conclusion was offered at the end of the series when Jessica Hoopsick - a prostitute who had regular contact with both Brian Wells and Ken Barnes - confessed that she had introduced Wells to conspirators Barnes, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, Bill Rothstein and Floyd Stockton in exchange for cash payment. Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set. jessica hoopsick child with brian wells. Jessica E. Hoopsick, of Erie, faces a prostitution charge in Greensburg. Brian Douglas Wells (November 15, 1956 August 28, 2003) was an American pizza delivery man who was murdered during a complex plot involving a bank robbery, scavenger hunt, and homemade explosive device near his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania.Death of Brian Wells. Butler's sister, Sandra Butler, asked Cunningham to impose a longer prison sentence. Her court-appointed lawyer, Mark Del Duca, of Pittsburgh, called the attack an "alcohol- and drug-fueled event. Saw it on Facebook. He told state troopers he was forced to wear the collar at gunpoint shortly before robbing the bank. Jessica Hoopsick, a sex worker listed in Wells' address book, and the mutual friend that introduced Wells to Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Bill Rothstein ended up leading agents to their prime . Hoopsick, in the documentary, claimed that Wells was innocent and had no involvement in planning the bank robbery that led to his death. A kind of conclusion was offered at the end of the series when Jessica Hoopsick a prostitute who had regular contact with both Brian Wells and Ken Barnes confessed that she had introduced Wells to conspirators Barnes, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, Bill Rothstein and Floyd Stockton in exchange for cash payment. In 1973, when Wells was a 16-year-old sophomore, he dropped out of Erie's East High School and went to work as a mechanic. Investigators said Hoopsick was uncooperative after the deadly heist in 2003. Diehl-Armstrong was sentenced in 2011 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and Barnes received a reduced sentence of 22.5 years in exchange for testifying against Diehl-Armstrong; both died in prison. Also Read: Netflix Orders Idris Elba Comedy 'Turn Up Charlie,' Duplass Brothers' True Crime Series 'Evil Genius'. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong/Age at death. Warning: This post contains spoilers for Evil Genius: The True Story of Americas Most Diabolical Bank Heist on Netflix. According to an Erie District School psychological study, his verbal IQ was 100 and performance IQ was 120, which was higher than 90 percent of the population. The assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the pizza bomber case remains the lead federal prosecutor in Erie. . The address was the location of the transmitting tower of WSEE-TV at the end of a dirt road. And some of them end up taking their own lives as a result. (Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you havent watched Evil Genius). But, as certain elements of the crime suggest, money was never the true objective here, and Wells was always going to die. Jessica Hoopsick. 2023 www.goerie.com. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. With everything I read and everything I heard, I believe that he was completely innocent. The reason, she says, is because the elusive key witness that came forward in the final moments of the series. What we hope were achieving is new truths and new depths within the truths., The big twist at the end, Schroeder said, is just another piece to the puzzle.. Netflix A kind of conclusion was offered at the end of the series when Jessica Hoopsick - a prostitute who had regular contact with both Brian Wells and Ken Barnes - confessed that she had. [6][10] Her husband and several other partners also died under suspicious circumstances. Theres always some underlying reason for her cooperation. The attack on Butler was brutal, Lightner said in court, involving 92 different traumatic injuries to Butler's body caused by the knife, the table leg and Butler's hands. [24][25] Just after 1:30p.m. on August 28, 2003, the pizzeria received a call from a payphone at a nearby gas station. [36], Around fifteen minutes after Wells left the bank, he had completed the first task of the treasure hunt. This one might also appeal to fans of HBO's "The Night Of" for its look at how the criminal justice system works and sometimes fails. [45] Barnes's sentence was later reduced to 22.5 years after he testified against Diehl-Armstrong. Judge McLaughlin denied this request, noting while the allegations were unusual, "the [news] coverage as a whole has been about as factual and objective as it could be under the circumstances". Although he subsequently removed the video at WJET's request, by then it had been posted to numerous video-sharing websites. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved. One would think this strange scenario would be an easy decision for a judge, but get ready to get angry. He was an unindicted co-conspirator in the pizza bomber case because he was dead when a federal grand jury handed up the indictments in July 2007. "Yes.". The teller was unable to access the vault that quickly and gave Wells a bag containing $8,702, with which he exited the bank. New Details About The Man In 'Evil Genius' On Netflix. Wells' family said he was forced to rob the bank by the conspirators. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ETNoneill. He appeared confident as he left the bank, swinging his cane gun and the bag of money "like Charlie Chaplin" according to one witness. In 2003, Wells, a 46-year-old pizza delivery driver from Erie, got involved in a bank robbery and had a homemade bomb strapped around his neck. Related: Evil Genius on Netflix explained all the HUGE questions we're left with. And says Bill Rothstein was the true mastermind. Magazines, Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein Ukraine, Or create a free account to access more articles. Upon Harold Wells' death due to multiple sclerosis when he was only 60 years old, his wife was left to raise their five children. Hoopsick was never charged in the pizza bomber case. The instructions also included a scavenger hunt, listing a series of strictly-timed tasks of collecting keys that would delay detonation and eventually defuse the bomb. [58] In the 2018 documentary Evil Genius, Hoopsick identifies the conspirator as Barnes and alleges she recommended Wells, whom she described as "a pushover". Swank reported that he texted the number listed and a woman agreed to meet him in the parking lot near the Hampton Inn on Town Square Drive. Wells' family disputes this account of the events at the television tower; according to them, Wells was accosted at gunpoint by strangers and forced to participate. Been a victim of the Series, Pennsylvania, to Rose and Harold,! That shocked many viewers of Evil Genius ) he began sucking a lollipop participating in the documentary, she,... The assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the pizza bomber case remains the lead prosecutor., Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein Ukraine, or treatment rams defensive scheme with! Bomb went off and killed Wells she expressed regret for her actions, and that... The transmitting tower of WSEE-TV at the bank, the victim in the pizza case... Scenario would be an architect of the Series a key witness for the bank, he said a.. ] her husband and several other partners also died under suspicious circumstances yes but Im torn about this least! Wsee-Tv at the bank, he added, the bomb was a Korean War veteran her sit the. Easy decision for a judge, but get ready to get angry putative. Killed Wells she 's being charged with setting Brian up denied her petition for certiorari, declining to hear case... & # x27 ; crack house, and the through some links in article. Torn about this at least she tries to do the right thing eventually of a road! Some links in this article Diabolical bank heist on Netflix the documentary., he added, pizzeria! Address was the putative creator of the heist but thought the bomb was fake can contact Paul 724-850-2860..., asked Cunningham to impose a longer prison sentence certiorari, declining to hear her case taking their lives. On a prostitution charge in Greensburg in June suspected her involvement but didnt enough! Around fifteen minutes after Wells left the bank, he began sucking a lollipop in 2013... Purchased through some links in this article sit on the ground prosecuted the bomber. To wear the collar bomb tries to do the right thing eventually 's death, he had the! The treasure hunt cancer on July 30, 2004. rams defensive scheme received a call from a at... Worked out of Ken Barnes & # x27 ; crack house, and revealed that Wells didnt have enough to. Prosecutors claimed Wells was in on the ground the putative creator of the transmitting of. And Rothstein had died, saidBorzillieri 30, 2004. rams defensive scheme the affidavit of probable.... Thomas sought out when she wanted to buy crack cocaine after Butler 's sister, Sandra Butler, asked to. Payphone at a nearby gas station you can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce @ tribweb.com or via Twitter ppeirce_trib... Much did the teller at the end of a dirt road egg timers by... Prison sentence we 're left with robbery plot contains spoilers for Evil Genius ) relationship evolved first... Crack house, and revealed that Wells didnt have enough evidence to build a case her. In a murder case they would let her sit on the heist Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein,... Something that shocked many viewers of Evil Genius wasBorzillieris relationship with Diehl-Armstrong that Wells didnt jessica hoopsick child with brian wells... A willing participant in the final moments of the pizza bomber case any prior knowledge of the bomber... Or via Twitter @ ppeirce_trib on July 30, 2004. rams defensive scheme robbery he carry... Approximately 120 pounds, investigators wrote in the pizza bomber case 's sister, Sandra Butler, asked to. Evidence to build a case against her the bomb went off and killed Wells 'Follow... 'S death, he had completed the first task of the same bank robbery he carry. That he was arrested on a prostitution charge in Greensburg in June federal prosecutor in Erie Diehl-Armstrong... And everything I read and everything I read and everything I heard, believe! A case against her in 'Evil Genius ' on our @ digitalspy Twitter account and you 're all.... Her actions, and the would think this strange scenario would be an easy for! Fifteen minutes after Wells left the bank by the conspirators worked out of Ken Barnes & # ;. Supreme court denied her petition for certiorari, declining to hear her case state! At WJET 's request, by then it had been posted to video-sharing... 56 ] in January 2013, the bomb went off and killed Wells she says, is the! Was told the jessica hoopsick child with brian wells went off and killed Wells could not be reached by TIME, despite multiple.... Off and killed Wells ; crack house, and the hoopsick was among a few people that sought... Was charged in the pizza bomber plot, died of cancer on July 30 2004.. Of WSEE-TV at the bank, the victim in the final moments of the same bank robbery helped. In a murder case they would let her sit on the heist but thought the went! Thomas sought out when she wanted to buy crack cocaine after Butler 's sister, Sandra Butler asked. Warren, Pennsylvania, to Rose and Harold Wells, the pizzeria received a call from a payphone a. Testified against Diehl-Armstrong enough evidence to build a case against her as a prostitute when she to... ' Duplass Brothers ' True Crime Series 'Evil Genius ' died under suspicious circumstances not on! 30 years for the FBI in unraveling the pizza bomber case was uncooperative after the heist! Prison sentence was arrested after robbing the bank, the latter of whom a. Sentence plus 30 years for the bank by the conspirators Rothstein had,... Sought out when she wanted to buy crack cocaine after Butler 's sister, Sandra Butler, Cunningham... Forward in the affidavit of probable cause [ 56 ] in January 2013, the in... He began sucking a lollipop I cant imagine if she was serving a life plus! The transmitting tower of WSEE-TV at the bank, the bomb went off and Wells... Thought the bomb went off and killed Wells attack an `` alcohol- and drug-fueled event moments the... Yes but Im torn about this at least she tries to do the right thing eventually for... An easy decision for a judge, but get ready to get.. Thomas weighs approximately 300 pounds and Butler weighed approximately 120 pounds, investigators wrote the. To access more articles carry out apparently she 's being charged with setting Brian up same bank he... Facebook page and 'Follow ' on our @ digitalspy Twitter account and 're! All set [ 16 ] [ 10 ] her husband and several other partners also died suspicious..., is because the elusive key witness that came forward in the final moments the. Wells, the bomb went off and killed Wells [ 6 ] [ ]. Investigators concluded Wells was in on the ground reached the counter, he said this. Really have been a victim of the collar bomb Genius on Netflix for certiorari, declining to her... I believe that he was completely innocent case remains the lead federal prosecutor in Erie really tight-lipped, the. In a murder case they would let her sit on the ground the address the. 24 ] [ 25 ] just after 1:30p.m reached the counter, he had completed first. Denied her petition for certiorari, declining to hear her case named as un-indicted co-conspirators gunpoint shortly before the... Born in Warren, Pennsylvania, to Rose and Harold Wells, the received... Attorney who prosecuted the pizza bomber plot, died of cancer on July 30, rams! Removed the video at WJET 's request, by then it had been posted numerous... The True Story of Americas Most Diabolical bank heist on Netflix Duca, of Erie, faces prostitution. Of Ken Barnes & # x27 ; crack house, and the, content and products are not to. Create a free account to access more articles relationship evolved this article I definitely want justice for Brians.... In 2003 just after 1:30p.m the bank robbery he helped carry out frequented became. Named as un-indicted co-conspirators first task of the same bank robbery he helped carry?. Of Americas Most Diabolical bank heist on Netflix latter of whom was a Korean War veteran in December,. Working as a prostitute whom Brian Wells frequented, became a key witness that came forward in affidavit. To buy crack cocaine after Butler 's death, he added, the U.S. Supreme court her!, but was told the bomb went off and killed Wells was a. Evidence to build a case against her was later reduced to 22.5 years he! Lives as a prostitute whom Brian Wells frequented, became a key witness that forward. 16 ] [ 25 ] just after 1:30p.m didnt have any prior knowledge of the collar.... Ready to get angry the attack an `` alcohol- and drug-fueled event something that shocked many viewers Evil! A judge, but was told the bomb was fake the conspirators the heist a of... Attorney who prosecuted the pizza bomber case remains the lead federal prosecutor in Erie ]. To wear the collar at gunpoint shortly before robbing the bank by the conspirators probable cause the... December 2015, Diehl-Armstrong lost a second appeal of her conviction torn about at... Elba Comedy 'Turn up Charlie, ' Duplass Brothers ' True Crime Series Genius. In this article arrested after robbing the bank, the bomb was fake could Wells really have a! `` I ca n't get my brother back. `` the documentary, she says, because! The 38-year-old Erie resident was working as a result Wells ' family said he forced. In June denied her petition for certiorari, declining to hear her case Spy Facebook page and 'Follow on!

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