Relying on Aide for Blasts No Crime, ‘Twilight’ Lawyer Says

The man in charge of special effects on the “Twilight Zone” movie set committed no crime by relying on an underling who set off the explosions that downed a helicopter, killing actor Vic Morrow and two children, his attorney said Tuesday.

“She’s (prosecutor Lea Purwin D’Agostino) trying to tell you that to rely on others is a crime,” attorney Arnold Klein told jurors in closing arguments at the involuntary manslaughter trial of special-effects coordinator Paul Stewart, director John Landis and three associates.

“(The prosecution contends) you’re criminally negligent to rely on persons under you. Does that make him (Stewart) guilty of any crime? The answer is no.”

Stewart was the special effects coordinator on the set of “Twilight Zone: The Movie.”

Filming Scene

Working under him was special-effects man James Camomile, who the defense and prosecution agree prematurely set off the special effects during the filming of scene, causing the helicopter crash in 1982 in which Morrow and two children on the ground were killed.

Camomile, who has been granted immunity from prosecution, testified it was his responsibility to make sure that the helicopter was clear of the explosives before he set them off.

“I want you to put yourselves in Paul Stewart’s shoes for awhile,” Klein told jurors. “You’ve worked with James Camomile, who you know has worked on many, many pictures with special effects.

“You know he knows it’s a practice to make sure a zone is clear” before special-effects explosions are set off.

Charged with involuntary manslaughter in the three deaths are Stewart, Landis, associate producer George Folsey Jr., unit production manager Dan Allingham and helicopter pilot Dorcey Wingo. The five defendants have been on trial in Superior Court since last July.

Closing Arguments

Klein finished his closing argument Tuesday afternoon. Eugene Trope, Wingo’s lawyer, is scheduled to begin his argument this morning. He will be followed by lawyers for Folsey and Allingham. Landis’ lawyers completed their closing arguments Monday.

After the defense arguments, the prosecutor will give her rebuttal. Judge Roger Boren will then instruct the jury, and it will begin its deliberations, possibly by the end of the week.