Barry Wright convicted of detonating explosive in ex-wife's car, dies in jail
Barry Wright, the man accused of detonating an explosive device in his ex-wife’s car on July 2, 2019, has died in custody at the Liberty County Jail, confirmed Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director of Office of Public & Governmental Affairs, Nelly Miles.
Wright was found at approximately 4 a.m. this morning, GBI spokesperson Lindsay Smith confirmed.
On Tuesday night, Wright was found guilty, according to Barry L. Paschal, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Georgia. Wright was convicted on charges of Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction; Use of Fire or Explosive to Commit Any Felony Offense; and Possession of an Unregistered Explosive Device, Paschal wrote in an email.
On Sept. 12, 2019, a federal grand jury charged Wright with possession of an unregistered destructive device and use of fire or explosive to commit a felony offense, according to an indictment obtained by the Savannah Morning News.
Wright, who was an electrician, constructed the bomb, placed it under the seat of his ex-wife’s car, and detonated it while she was driving in Savannah, federal prosecutors argued, according to WTOC. Wright’s ex-wife testified that the explosion severely injured her, WTOC reported.
"I can confirm his death and a GBI investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates an apparent suicide. Please bear in mind that it’s early and the autopsy has not been done," Miles said.
Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: GBI confirms death of man convicted of detonating explosive in car
