> At a Glance
> – Virginia man Brian Cole seeks conditional release after pipe bomb plot.
> – Attorneys cite autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
> – Prosecutors argue he was driven by hatred of both parties and may have evaded detection.
> – Why it matters: The case highlights the tension between mental health considerations and national security.
Brian Cole, 30, faces federal charges for planting pipe bombs at the Republican and Democratic party headquarters on the night before January 6, 2021. The Virginia inmate has now filed for conditional release, arguing that his mild autism diagnosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder mitigate his culpability. Prosecutors counter that Cole’s actions were deliberate and dangerous.
Defense Highlights Autism Diagnosis
Cole’s attorneys presented a diagnosis of mild autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in a court filing. They also included character reference letters from long-time acquaintances who say the charges are out of character. The attorneys argue that Cole has not shown evasive conduct and does not pose a threat to the community.
- Key points from the defense filing:
- Mild autism and OCD diagnosis.
- No evidence of evasion or resistance.
- Family bail-bond business remains unchanged.
Prosecutors’ Counterarguments
Federal prosecutors urge the judge to keep Cole in detention, citing his statement that “something just snapped” after watching everything get worse.
FBI agents
> “something just snapped” after watching everything get worse.
They allege he wore a face mask and gloves, wiped bombs with disinfectant, and performed more than 900 phone resets between December 2020 and arrest. Prosecutors also claim he did not test the devices and that they failed to detonate. They argue that luck, not lack of effort, caused the failure, and that he set both devices to detonate 60 minutes after placement.
Prosecutors
> “Mr. Cole spent nearly five years trying to evade detection,” the filing said.
> “Indeed, the defendant admitted that he set both devices to detonate 60 minutes after he placed them.”
> “Ultimately, it was luck, not lack of effort, that the defendant failed to detonate one or both of his devices and that no one was killed or maimed due to his actions.”
Key Facts Comparison
| Aspect | Defense Position | Prosecution Position |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Mild autism spectrum disorder & OCD | None |
| Evasion | No evasive conduct | Alleged mask, gloves, phone resets |
| Threat | Not a threat | Dangerous, hatred of parties |
| Device test | None | Devices failed to detonate |
| Release request | Conditional release | Keep in detention |
The case underscores the clash between mental health defenses and national security concerns in federal court.
Key Takeaways
- Brian Cole seeks conditional release citing autism and OCD.
- Prosecutors argue he acted with intent and may have evaded detection.
- The bombs failed to detonate, but authorities claim this was luck, not lack of effort.
Published by News Of Philadelphia
