HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) — A Nike executive accused of cutting his Bethany, Ore., home’s natural gas line in an attempt to harm his wife and four children has been arraigned on five counts of attempted aggravated murder.
The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/BVE2zi) that 36-year-old James Speidel made a brief appearance Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court. Bail has been set at $1 million and his next court appearance is May 2. It was not known whether he had a lawyer.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Ray says the man’s 38-year-old wife, Laura Speidel, smelled natural gas early Tuesday and fled the house with her young children. Northwest Natural Gas found that an external gas line was severed and gas was leaking under the house.
Sheriff’s officers say the gas line appeared to be intentionally cut.
Nike spokeswoman Erin Dobson says Speidel works for Nike as the business director of SPARQ. The company website describes SPARQ as Nike’s athletic performance division.
