May 3, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – A pipe bomb, coupled with an accelerant, caused the explosion that killed a Bullskin Township man’s estranged girlfriend, her daughter and their unborn child in a Connellsville apartment, according to federal investigators. Expert testimony took center stage again Thursday in the trial of Joseph Minerd, 46, accused of planting the deadly bomb.

Minerd listened intently as U.S. Treasury Department Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents testified that gasoline was also present in the 504 McCormick Ave. apartment when it went up in flames the afternoon of Jan. 1, 1999.

“In addition to the pipe bomb there had to be some type of fuel air explosion,” said ATF forensic chemist Edward Bender. “(The extensive damage indicated) it was much more than a pipe bomb.”

Minerd is charged with malicious destruction of property by means of fire and explosion that killed Deana Kay Mitts and her 3-year-old daughter, Kayla Ashley Mitts. Deana Kay Mitts was about eight months pregnant at the time of her death. If convicted, Minerd could face the death penalty.

Bender said all but two pieces from the pipe bomb were located at the site of the explosion during a recovery effort in April 1999.

The remaining fragments were removed from the body of Deana Kay Mitts. A metal disk, later be determined to be an end cap used with the pipe bomb, was removed during an initial autopsy after her death. A second pipe fragment was found on the back of her right hand during a subsequent autopsy performed in August 1999.

Bender told prosecutor Shaun E. Sweeney, assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District, that after examining the metal disk taken from the victim, he questioned the reports that indicated the explosion and fire were attributed to malfunctioning appliances that were operated by natural gas.

After gathering the fragments, Bender said he determined that an 8-inch pipe, with a 2-inch diameter and filled with a “low energy” explosive, was used in the apartment bombing.

The pipe bomb alone, he said, could not have caused the destruction he viewed at the apartment complex.

Bender told Sweeney that a “low energy” explosive, when ignited, would cause the contents of the pipe to heat and expand and eventually burst apart.

“The fragments will fly and a big fireball will occur,” he said, adding that the associated fire would quickly subside without additional accelerant.

Although he was able to piece together the pipe used in the explosion, Bender admitted he could not determine the type of ignition or whether investigators were able to locate an electronic means of ignition. He said a remote control device could activate the bomb or it could be triggered through movement.

During cross-examination by defense counsel Richard Kammen, Bender testified that test results showed that the black powder found in Minerd’s home was not used as the explosive.

Federal and local investigators searched Minerd’s home, vehicles and workplace to recover any suspected items used in the explosion. During the execution of the search warrant, four cans containing black gun powder, 24 drill bits and pieces of pipe were found in the residence, but they could not be connected to the incident, said Bender.

ATF forensic chemist Ray Kuk testified that debris samples tested did reveal that gasoline was present at the scene. Five samples from the interior of the apartment were sent for analysis, with one providing a positive response, Kuk told Sweeney.

During earlier testimony, it was revealed that burn patterns throughout the first floor of the apartment indicated an accelerant was present.

Testimony continues Monday at 9 a.m.