Contractor Charged With Murder in Philly Collapse

The contractor who oversaw a botched building demolition that killed six people in a Salvation Army thrift store in Philadelphia is being charged with murder, manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. Officials said today that Griffin Campbell is also charged with risking a catastrophe and criminal conspiracy, in addition to the six counts of third-degree murder, six counts of involuntary manslaughter, and 13 counts of endangerment.

In the collapse, an unsupported wall crashed down onto the neighboring thrift store, trapping and killing shoppers inside. The charges are the first since excavator operator Sean Benschop was charged this summer on six counts of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly operating heavy equipment while high on marijuana and painkillers.