Trial for MLK bomb changed to avoid unveiling

SPOKANE — The trial of a man charged with planting a bomb at the Martin Luther King Jr. day parade in Spokane has been delayed over concerns that publicity about a King memorial being unveiled in Washington, D.C., the same week could influence the jury.

A federal judge changed defendant Kevin Harpham’s trial date in the domestic terrorism case on Friday.

It was scheduled to start later this month but is now set for Sept. 12 — one day after the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The judge also ruled that statements Harpham made to the FBI prior to being read his rights could not be used in the trial.

The bomb was found by authorities and defused before it could explode.

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