Faces from the Case

The gallery of everyone involved in FBI Major Case #203: The Pizza Bomber Case.

Pizza deliveryman Brian Wells moments before the collar bomb locked to his neck exploded, killing him instantly. He had just robbed a bank in Summit Township, outside Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 2003. The bomb is underneath his white T-shirt, which is a knockoff for Guess jeans. Wells’ hands are cuffed behind his back. "I don’t have a lot of time," Wells told the Pennsylvania State Police. WJET-TV, the ABC affiliate in Erie, filmed the entire episode. ERIE TIMES-NEWS, COURTESY OF WJET-TV
Pizza deliveryman Brian Wells moments before the collar bomb locked to his neck exploded, killing him instantly. He had just robbed a bank in Summit Township, outside Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 2003. The bomb is underneath his white T-shirt, which is a knockoff for Guess jeans. Wells’ hands are cuffed behind his back. “I don’t have a lot of time,” Wells told the Pennsylvania State Police. WJET-TV, the ABC affiliate in Erie, filmed the entire episode. ERIE TIMES-NEWS, COURTESY OF WJET-TV
Brian Wells stands at the front counter of the PNC Bank in the Summit Towne Centre, waiting for the chief teller to give him money on August 28, 2003. He had asked for $250,000, an extraordinary amount for a bank robbery. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS, via FBI
Brian Wells stands at the front counter of the PNC Bank in the Summit Towne Centre, waiting for the chief teller to give him money on August 28, 2003. He had asked for $250,000, an extraordinary amount for a bank robbery. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS, via FBI
Brian Wells heads out of the PNC Bank in the Summit Towne Centre after robbing it of $8,702. Wells is carrying the cash in a white canvas bag; in his left hand is a homemade cane-shaped shotgun. He is sucking on a lollipop he grabbed while in the bank. The collar bomb is protruding from under his white T-shirt. He had demanded $250,000 from the chief teller, but left with whatever money she could give him. ERIE TIMES-NEWS, via FBI
Brian Wells heads out of the PNC Bank in the Summit Towne Centre after robbing it of $8,702. Wells is carrying the cash in a white canvas bag; in his left hand is a homemade cane-shaped shotgun. He is sucking on a lollipop he grabbed while in the bank. The collar bomb is protruding from under his white T-shirt. He had demanded $250,000 from the chief teller, but left with whatever money she could give him. ERIE TIMES-NEWS, via FBI
Brian Wells, in one of the few photographs of him that was made public after his bombing death on August 28, 2003. This is from his driver’s license. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Brian Wells, in one of the few photographs of him that was made public after his bombing death on August 28, 2003. This is from his driver’s license. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
The Erie police’s bomb squad prepares to examine Brian Wells after the collar bomb locked to his neck exploded. The bomb squad arrived after the bomb detonated. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
The Erie police’s bomb squad prepares to examine Brian Wells after the collar bomb locked to his neck exploded. The bomb squad arrived after the bomb detonated. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
The Erie police’s bomb squad examines the dead body of Brian Wells after a collar bomb locked to his neck exploded. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
The Erie police’s bomb squad examines the dead body of Brian Wells after a collar bomb locked to his neck exploded. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, in the mug shot Erie police took of her after she was arrested in the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Jim Roden, whose body was found in a freezer on September 21, 2003. Nearly four years later, a federal grand jury would indict her in the Brian Wells pizza bomber case and allege she killed Roden to keep him quiet about the bank-robbery plot in which Wells participated. ERIE TIMES-NEWS, via ERIE BUREAU OF POLICE
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, in the mug shot Erie police took of her after she was arrested in the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Jim Roden, whose body was found in a freezer on September 21, 2003. Nearly four years later, a federal grand jury would indict her in the Brian Wells pizza bomber case and allege she killed Roden to keep him quiet about the bank-robbery plot in which Wells participated. ERIE TIMES-NEWS, via ERIE BUREAU OF POLICE
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong on January 20, 2004, after her preliminary hearing in the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Jim Roden. The main witness against her was Bill Rothstein, her erstwhile fiancé, who had helped her stuff Roden’s body in a freezer in Rothstein’s garage. "Rothstein is a filthy liar," Diehl-Armstrong is telling reporters in this photo. "Rothstein should be charged with the death of Brian Wells and a lot of other charges." Her statement attracted the FBI’s attention in the pizza bomber case. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong on January 20, 2004, after her preliminary hearing in the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Jim Roden. The main witness against her was Bill Rothstein, her erstwhile fiancé, who had helped her stuff Roden’s body in a freezer in Rothstein’s garage. “Rothstein is a filthy liar,” Diehl-Armstrong is telling reporters in this photo. “Rothstein should be charged with the death of Brian Wells and a lot of other charges.” Her statement attracted the FBI’s attention in the pizza bomber case. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong snarls at reporters and photographers at the Erie County Courthouse on January 20, 2004, after her preliminary hearing in the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Jim Roden. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong snarls at reporters and photographers at the Erie County Courthouse on January 20, 2004, after her preliminary hearing in the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Jim Roden. JANET B. KUMMERER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong during a break in her mental competency hearing in U.S. District Court in Erie, Pennsylvania, on May 22, 2008. U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin would find her mentally unfit for trial in the pizza bomber case in 2008, but find her competent in 2009. CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong during a break in her mental competency hearing in U.S. District Court in Erie, Pennsylvania, on May 22, 2008. U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin would find her mentally unfit for trial in the pizza bomber case in 2008, but find her competent in 2009. CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
An 18-year-old Marjorie Diehl in her senior portrait in the yearbook for Erie’s Academy High School, class of 1967. She excelled in all subjects and graduated 12th in a class of 413. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
An 18-year-old Marjorie Diehl in her senior portrait in the yearbook for Erie’s Academy High School, class of 1967. She excelled in all subjects and graduated 12th in a class of 413. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl at 20 or 21 years old, in the yearbook for the class of 1970 at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1970, a year early, with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and biology. Two years later, at age 23, she would receive her first psychiatric treatment, with a later diagnosis of a bipolar disorder. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl at 20 or 21 years old, in the yearbook for the class of 1970 at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1970, a year early, with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and biology. Two years later, at age 23, she would receive her first psychiatric treatment, with a later diagnosis of a bipolar disorder. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl at 39 years old in May 1988, during her trial in the 1984 shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Bob Thomas. After a judge finally found her mentally competent for trial, she argued self defense and was acquitted in one of Erie County’s most sensational homicide trials. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Marjorie Diehl at 39 years old in May 1988, during her trial in the 1984 shooting death of her live-in boyfriend Bob Thomas. After a judge finally found her mentally competent for trial, she argued self defense and was acquitted in one of Erie County’s most sensational homicide trials. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Ken Barnes, the fishing buddy of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Jim Roden. He would become Diehl-Armstrong’s lone co-defendant in the pizza bomber case. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Ken Barnes, the fishing buddy of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Jim Roden. He would become Diehl-Armstrong’s lone co-defendant in the pizza bomber case. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Ken Barnes is led into the FBI office in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 12, 2007, three days after his indictment in the pizza bomber case. At left is ATF Special Agent Jason Wick; at right is the lead investigator in the case, FBI Special Agent Jerry Clark. JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Ken Barnes is led into the FBI office in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 12, 2007, three days after his indictment in the pizza bomber case. At left is ATF Special Agent Jason Wick; at right is the lead investigator in the case, FBI Special Agent Jerry Clark. JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Jim Roden, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s boyfriend, whose body was found in a freezer in Bill Rothstein’s garage on September 21, 2003. When Diehl-Armstrong and Roden started living together in 1993, she said she was fated to love him. Ten years later, to cover up the pizza bomber plot, she shot Roden twice in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun she bought out of the newspaper, the FBI said. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Jim Roden, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s boyfriend, whose body was found in a freezer in Bill Rothstein’s garage on September 21, 2003. When Diehl-Armstrong and Roden started living together in 1993, she said she was fated to love him. Ten years later, to cover up the pizza bomber plot, she shot Roden twice in the back with a 12-gauge shotgun she bought out of the newspaper, the FBI said. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein talks to a reporter from the Erie Times-News in front of Rothstein’s house on August 30, 2003, two days after the bombing death of Brian Wells. The house is at the start of the dirt road that Wells drove down to make his final pizza delivery on August 28, 2003; Rothstein said he noticed nothing unusual that day. During the time of this interview, Jim Roden’s body was stuffed inside a freezer in Rothstein’s garage, in the background. It would be discovered a month later. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein talks to a reporter from the Erie Times-News in front of Rothstein’s house on August 30, 2003, two days after the bombing death of Brian Wells. The house is at the start of the dirt road that Wells drove down to make his final pizza delivery on August 28, 2003; Rothstein said he noticed nothing unusual that day. During the time of this interview, Jim Roden’s body was stuffed inside a freezer in Rothstein’s garage, in the background. It would be discovered a month later. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein on September 23, 2003, in front of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s house, where a month earlier she shot and killed Jim Roden, her live-in boyfriend. Rothstein, who had helped remove Roden’s body from the house in a tarp, helped Erie police go through the house after they discovered Roden’s body in Rothstein’s freezer on September 21, 2003. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein on September 23, 2003, in front of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s house, where a month earlier she shot and killed Jim Roden, her live-in boyfriend. Rothstein, who had helped remove Roden’s body from the house in a tarp, helped Erie police go through the house after they discovered Roden’s body in Rothstein’s freezer on September 21, 2003. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein, having turned state’s evidence, helps the Erie police at Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s house on September 23, 2003. Rothstein would die of cancer in 2004, before he could be indicted in the pizza bomber case. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein, having turned state’s evidence, helps the Erie police at Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s house on September 23, 2003. Rothstein would die of cancer in 2004, before he could be indicted in the pizza bomber case. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein in October 9, 2003, following his arraignment on charges he helped hide Jim Roden’s body in Rothstein’s freezer. Rothstein reached a deal to testify against Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong in that case, and was never charged with homicide. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Bill Rothstein in October 9, 2003, following his arraignment on charges he helped hide Jim Roden’s body in Rothstein’s freezer. Rothstein reached a deal to testify against Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong in that case, and was never charged with homicide. RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Floyd "Jay" Stockton, Bill Rothstein’s close friend. He admitted having a role in the bank-robbery plot. Stockton was found in Rothstein’s house, on the run from rape charges in Washington State, on September 21, 2003, when police discovered Jim Roden’s body in a freezer in Rothstein’s garage.
Floyd “Jay” Stockton, Bill Rothstein’s close friend. He admitted having a role in the bank-robbery plot. Stockton was found in Rothstein’s house, on the run from rape charges in Washington State, on September 21, 2003, when police discovered Jim Roden’s body in a freezer in Rothstein’s garage.
Robert Pinetti, Brian Wells’ friend and fellow pizza deliveryman. His death of drug overdose three days after Wells’ slaying complicated the pizza bomber case. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Robert Pinetti, Brian Wells’ friend and fellow pizza deliveryman. His death of drug overdose three days after Wells’ slaying complicated the pizza bomber case. ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Jessica Hoopsick, a prostitute whom Brian Wells frequented, became a key witness for the FBI in unraveling the pizza bomber case. ERIE TIMES-NEWS/FBI
Jessica Hoopsick, a prostitute whom Brian Wells frequented, became a key witness for the FBI in unraveling the pizza bomber case. ERIE TIMES-NEWS/FBI
The lead investigator in the pizza bomber case, FBI Special Agent Jerry Clark. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
The lead investigator in the pizza bomber case, FBI Special Agent Jerry Clark. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Jason Wick, special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, proved a valuable partner to FBI Special Agent Jerry Clark in the pizza bomber case. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Jason Wick, special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, proved a valuable partner to FBI Special Agent Jerry Clark in the pizza bomber case. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin, whose pleasant demeanor and calm manner were tested by Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong at her three-week trial in the pizza bomber case in U.S. District Court in Erie, Pennsylvania, in October and November 2010. Contributed photo.
U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin, whose pleasant demeanor and calm manner were tested by Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong at her three-week trial in the pizza bomber case in U.S. District Court in Erie, Pennsylvania, in October and November 2010. Contributed photo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall Piccinini, who prosecuted the pizza bomber case. Piccinini’s meticulousness was on display throughout the investigation and prosecution. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall Piccinini, who prosecuted the pizza bomber case. Piccinini’s meticulousness was on display throughout the investigation and prosecution. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Douglas Sughrue, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s trial lawyer, brushed off her constant hectoring of him. ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Douglas Sughrue, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong’s trial lawyer, brushed off her constant hectoring of him. ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Despite being held in high regard in U.S. District Court in Erie, Pennsylvania, Assistant Federal Public Defender Tom Patton did not last the entire pizza bomber case. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong fired him as her lawyer about a year before trial. JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Despite being held in high regard in U.S. District Court in Erie, Pennsylvania, Assistant Federal Public Defender Tom Patton did not last the entire pizza bomber case. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong fired him as her lawyer about a year before trial. JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS