Excavator pleads guilty in deadly Center City collapse

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- The excavator operator charged in the Center City building collapse that left six dead and more than a dozen others injured, pleaded guilty on Tuesday.

45-year-old Sean Benschop pleaded guilty to six counts of involuntary manslaughter and other charges, including aggravated assault, conspiracy, causing a catastrophe and seven counts of reckless endangerment.

Benschop, a heavy equipment operator, is accused of being high on marijuana and painkillers while on the demolition job at 22nd and Market streets on June 6th, 2013.

It was on that day that the unsupported wall he was working to bring down fell the wrong way, down onto a neighboring Salvation Army.

Killed in the collapse were Juanita Harmon, Roseline Conteh, Mary Simpson, Kimberly Finnegan, Ann Bryan and Borbor Davis. Thirteen other were injured, including Maria Pukan who suffered serious and permanent injury.

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Prosecutors say the collapse was the result of Benschop and demolition contractor Griffin Campbell ignoring standard safety procedures despite warnings that the excavator could bring debris crashing on the store that was full of employees and customers.

District Attorney Seth Williams says, "Today's guilty plea is substantial step in our work to fully prosecute this case and so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the community, SEPTA, the City of Philadelphia and all of the witnesses who offered testimony and evidence that led to Mr. Benschop's plea today."

Benschop now faces as much as 10 to 20 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Selber says, "He is willing to cooperate against Griffin Campbell, and we haven't made a decision yet as to whether or not we're going to call him as a witness."

Benschop's wife, Tynisha Gregory, spoke out after court, saying, "What I can say is, Sean has accepted responsibility. Despite what others will say he is remorseful. He is sorry for what happened. I feel, my heart goes out to the victims in this tragedy."

The mother of one of those killed in this catastrophe, City Treasurer Nancy Winkler, issued a statement that reads in part: "Sean Benschop's conduct was unforgiveable, but others played a role in killing our daughter and have yet to be held accountable. We will not rest until everyone responsible for Anne's death and the death of the other victims are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

Griffin Campbell's lawyer, William Hobson, claims he did nothing criminal.

Hobson says, "Sean Benschop plead guilty because he is and was guilty. My client is not guilty. He's not a murderer, he's not guilty of manslaughter, he's not guilty of any of these crimes. We are ready for trial."

Benschop's sentencing date is scheduled for October 23, 2015.