NATION : Fatal Booby-Trap Suspect Held
A handyman accused of setting a shotgun booby trap that killed an intruder in his warehouse turned himself in to face a possible murder charge and was ordered held without bond today.
Philip Connaghan, 46, was booked at the Denver County Jail for investigation of first-degree murder Thursday. Denver County Judge Larry Bohning denied him bail this morning, leaving the district attorney’s office three days to decide whether to press charges.
Michael McComb, 19, of Denver was shot in the chest Saturday night by a 12-gauge shotgun inside the warehouse Connaghan leased. Three youths who were with McComb said they entered the warehouse for an adventure not as thieves.
Police said the shotgun was attached to a trip wire they believe Connaghan rigged. The front door of the warehouse bore the inscription: “Danger--Enter at own risk.”
Connaghan told police he had no knowledge of the booby trap.
The warehouse had been burglarized eight times since 1987.
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