Colorado Springs, Colorado – A man facing charges for setting off a homemade explosive device near downtown Colorado Springs is scheduled to stand trial after a preliminary hearing on Monday.
The suspect, Edward Kiley, appeared before a judge where the only charge eligible for the hearing was first degree arson, among several charges he was arrested on. The arrest stemmed from an explosion that rang through downtown Colorado Springs, including near the 11 News studio, occurring in the area of Costilla and El Paso streets.
Following the explosion, police executed a search warrant at Kiley’s residence. Subsequently, evidence linking Kiley to the explosion was found based on arrest papers. During the court proceedings, an El Paso County deputy specializing in bomb squads discussed the evidence in the investigation.
Video evidence was presented by the prosecution, including footage from various security cameras showing Kiley carrying a large device resembling the explosive in question. The videos depicted Kiley loading the device into a truck believed to be his, driving it towards the location of the explosion.
The prosecution highlighted damage to a nearby business caused by the device and material found at the scene that matched what Kiley was seen purchasing at a hardware store in another video. Kiley’s defense raised concerns about the lack of footage showing him igniting the device or driving the truck to the scene, arguing that there was insufficient evidence connecting him to first degree arson.
Ultimately, the judge ruled that the evidence presented was sufficient for Kiley to face the charge of first degree arson, scheduling another court date for mid-April. The defense’s claim that the device was intended as an improvised hot air balloon was not enough to sway the judge’s decision.