Defendant denies connection to bomb that killed ex-wife
By Associated Press
Published October 10, 2003
JACKSONVILLE - A former air traffic controller testified Thursday that he had nothing to do with a pipe bomb wrapped as a Christmas present that exploded and killed his ex-wife.
William Joe Jarvis, 41, responding to questions from his attorney, Richard Selinger, denied planning, making or delivering the bomb that killed Lillian Jarvis.
The bomb, wrapped in Christmas paper, was left on the doorstep of her parents' home, where she was staying. It was taken inside, and when Lillian Jarvis opened the package and the tackle box inside, the bomb exploded into a fireball, killing her and wounding her mother and her boyfriend on Jan. 6, 2001.
"Did you place the bomb on the doorstep?" Selinger asked.
"I did not," Jarvis said.
"Did you build that bomb?" the attorney asked.
"I had nothing to do with it," answered Jarvis.
"Did you have anything to do with the building and placement of that bomb?"
"No sir, I did not."
Jarvis is charged with first-degree murder and arson. The state is seeking the death penalty.
Jarvis said items found at his home, such as wiring, wire strippers and specialized pliers, which investigators said could have been used in building a bomb, were for use with his Lionel train collection.
He also said a rocket motor found in his home was used by his son for building toy rockets. Prosecutors said a rocket motor ignited the pipe bomb covered in BBs and surrounded by gasoline-filled condoms.
William Jarvis also testified he copied several files from his computer onto disks and hid them at his girlfriend's house.
Jarvis said he feared authorities would seize his home computer and he did not want to lose the material on it.
"It became clear to me the police and the ATF were targeting me," he said.
He said information about bombs on the disks had been forwarded to him as part of his job as a guide for an online company. He said it was his job to forward information to the company if he saw someone violating the terms of agreement.
