Pubdate: Sun, 24 Feb 2002
Source: Carthage Press, The (MO)
Copyright: 2002 The Carthage Press
Contact:  http://www.carthagepress.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1731
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

AUTHORITIES CHARGE MAN IN DEATH RELATED TO AMMONIA BLAST OUTSIDE CARTHAGE

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- A Springfield man was charged with murder in the 
death of another man who was killed when a tank of chemical gas used to 
make methamphetamine exploded in their car.

Prosecutors alleged that because Christopher Clark, 29, was illegally 
carrying anhydrous ammonia to make meth, he is responsible for the death of 
Brandon Riffell, 24. When someone dies while a crime is being carried out, 
prosecutors said the person committing the crime can be charged with felony 
murder.

He was charged with second-degree murder on Wednesday while in the Greene 
County Jail.

Clark had the ingredients for a full meth lab in his Pontiac Firebird on 
Nov. 26 as he and Riffell traveled down U.S. 71 outside Carthage, 
authorities said. The equipment included three propane tanks of anhydrous 
ammonia; the largest tank exploded in the back seat and sent a deadly dose 
of gas into the small car.

As the white cloud of gas filled the car, Clark veered to the side of the 
road and the two men jumped out, their skin burning, authorities said. When 
anhydrous ammonia hits the skin, it inflicts a painful, freezing burn. A 
third of Riffell's body was burned. The moisture-eating gas burned his 
throat, lungs and eyes. The burns on his left arm and back were the most 
severe, said Dr. Kenneth Larson of the St. John's Burn Unit. They 
penetrated all the way through his skin. Riffell underwent several 
surgeries to remove burned skin before he died Dec. 3.

Clark recovered from burns to his legs. After his release from the 
hospital, he was arrested and taken to the Greene County Jail on unrelated 
charges from other counties.

Riffell's injuries were the worst-case scenario that authorities have 
preached about for years. Many in law enforcement are applauding the 
decision to charge Clark with second-degree murder, which carries a maximum 
punishment of life in prison. ""We hope (methamphetamine users and cooks) 
do know we are serious about this," said Sgt. Kent Casey of the Missouri 
Highway Patrol office in Carthage, which investigated the explosion. "But 
we want them to be serious about it, too."
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