Opening statements looming in Pa. collar bomb case

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Opening statements are expected in the federal court trial of an Erie woman accused of masterminding a bank robbery in which a man was killed by a bomb he was forced to wear on a metal collar.

The statements are expected to begin this afternoon by attorneys for the government and 61-year-old Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong.

Diehl-Armstrong’s attorney, Douglas Sughrue has said he expects his volatile client to testify during the three week trial — along with her psychiatrist, so jurors can understand her testimony and mannerisms. Diehl-Armstrong has raised her voice and cursed out Sughrue — the third attorney to represent her — during jury selection.

She claims she’s being framed for the plot that killed 46-year-old Brian Wells, who was allegedly forced to rob the bank in August 2003.