SPOKANE – The backpack bomb suspect was formally arraigned on two additional charges Monday. A grand jury indicted Kevin Harpham last week on charges of violating the federal Hate Crimes Act and attempting to use an explosive device in connection with a hate crime.
The charges are in addition to two others, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Kevin Harpham is charged with building the backpack bomb and planting it in Downtown Spokane before the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade on January 17.
Harpham’s defense attorney, Roger Peven, says the two new charges change the case.
“The new charges require the government to not only prove who, but why, and that’s a completely different type of case,” said Peven after Monday’s arraignment.
If convicted the hate crime charge carries a sentence of up to ten years in prison. The fourth charge, attempting to use an explosive device in connection with a hate crime, would set a minimum of 30 years in prison. It’s the only charge Harpham is facing that would set a minimum sentence guideline. He is already facing a maximum of life in prison for the first two charges.
The two additional hate crime charges are tied together. Harpham must be convicted of the hate crime charge to be convicted on the fourth count.
Harpham’s trial is scheduled for the end of May, yet his defense attorney tells KREM 2 News he would not be surprised if the attorneys on both sides need more time to prepare.
