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Germantown Artist Charged With Arson, Possession Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction

By Tony Hanson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- A 55-year-old Germantown artist is now on trial, charged with arson and possession of weapons of mass destruction following an explosion that blew off part of his right hand in May.

Prosecutor Lisa Nichols has told the jury defendant Douglas Ferrin made and detonated IED's --- improvised explosive devices or bombs. And one blew up in his hand in May. Nichols says Ferrin, who had a neighbor on one side, a gas station on the other, recklessly endangered others.

A neighbor has testified there had been multiple house rattling, terrifying explosions next door.

Defense attorney A J Thomson concedes Ferrin was playing with homemade firecrackers but scoffed at the weapons of mass destruction charge, telling the jury the WMDs they didn't find in Iraq, they found on Queen Lane: a couple of homemade firecrackers. Thomson says the prosecution is trying to create shock and awe over fire crackers.

Ferrin has a previous conviction for causing a fire or explosion in 2011, related to an explosion in a Chester county bar-restaurant toilet.

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