Contractor takes stand in Salvation Army collapse trial

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Contractor Griffin Campbell took the stand Wednesday in his own defense for the June 2013 collapse at the Salvation Army store in Center City.

Campbell never finished high school, never attended trade school or had any professional training in demolition.

The man on trial for six deaths because of the 2013 botched demolition described himself to the jury as a small time, self-taught home remodeler who faced serious debt.

But he says he was befriended by the demolition architect of the Market Street project, Plato Marinakos.

Campbell said it was his belief at the start of the job the architect would help him with his first major demolition.

"He would be there for me. I trusted him," Campbell said.

Campbell said it was Marinakos who drew up the final contract saying, "I got the signal loud and clear from Plato once we got through this project, I would never have money problems again."

Marinakos, a prosecution witness, has been given immunity in this case.

The defense is painting Campbell an unsuspecting fall guy for a badly planned demolition project and that others who are responsible have not been charged.

Campbell spent two hours on the stand.

If Campbell is convicted of more than one of the third degree murder charges he faces the potential for life in prison.

He returns to the stand on Thursday.