Lawyer: Texas Paramedic ‘Had No Involvement Whatsoever’ In Plant Explosion

ERIC LACH 10:11 AM EDT, SUNDAY MAY 12, 2013

Bryce Reed, a West, Texas, paramedic charged on Friday with possession of a destructive device, "had no involvement whatsoever" in last month's deadly fertilizer plant explosion in West, according to a written statement issued by his lawyer on Saturday.

"Let me be very clear, Mr. Reed had no involvement whatsoever in the explosion at the West, Texas fertilizer plant," Jonathan Sibley, the attorney, wrote in the statement. "Mr. Reed was one of the first responders and lost friends, family, and neighbors in that disaster. Mr. Reed is heartbroken for the friends he lost and remains resolute in his desire to assist in the rebuilding of his community."

Reed was one of the first responders to last month's explosion, and had been frequently interviewed by media in the aftermath. In the days before his arrest, he took to Facebook, where he wrote of deeper turmoil in his personal life. Sibley said Reed, 31, plans to plead not guilt to the destructive device charge, and "anxiously awaits his day in court and his opportunity to address these allegations."

"We ask that Mr. Reed's family, friends, and community not rush to judgment," Sibley said. "Mr. Reed has been through significant hardship in the wake of the disaster in West and he has responded and served his community with honor and strength."

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