It took more than two hours of interrogation before James M. Sever began to share information about the explosion of a riding lawnmower at a Salem property from which he had been evicted, Trooper Jacob Feryus testified Monday.

“He had said that he had rigged up the bomb with fishing line on the back of the mower,” the trooper testified.

After the July 20 explosion, state police believe Sever spent nearly two months in the woods evading capture before being spotted by an off-duty trooper Sept. 16, as he rode a bicycle on the Hoodlebug Trail south of Homer City. While he was on the lam, the home from which Sever was evicted was destroyed Aug. 22 by a fire deemed suspicious by investigators. The blaze appeared to have started on the vacant first floor.

No charges have been filed in connection with the fire.

Police believe the target of the concealed bomb on the lawnmower was property owner Dave Martin.

Judge Jason Buczak on Monday ordered that Sever stand trial on charges including attempted homicide, weapons of mass destruction, aggravated assault and related offenses at the conclusion of a 45-minute preliminary hearing.

While being led out of district court Monday after the hearing, Sever denied that he confessed to state police and made several other claims about Martin, which Martin later denied.

“I’m the only victim in this whole circumstance,” Sever told reporters.

Extended interrogation

Feryus testified that the initial, unsuccessful interrogation was in a room with audio and video recording capabilities. In a different room with only video recording, Feryus said, Sever confessed involvement in the explosion to him and another trooper.

Martin testified that, after the June eviction for failure to pay rent, his relationship with Sever deteriorated and Sever threatened him.

“He said, ‘You’re going to get yourself hurt,’ ” Martin recalled.

Martin recounted on the witness stand moving two 5-gallon gas cans away from the lawnmower before starting it on July 20. When he pushed the levers to move the lawnmower forward, it exploded.

Trooper Thomas Dohey, who works in the hazardous device and explosives section, said he and other investigators collected numerous pieces of shrapnel, including the end cap for a pipe, wire, black zip ties, a piece of a copper blasting cap and pieces of threaded pipe.

“They would be indicative to us of an IED, or a pipe bomb,” he testified, referring to an improvised explosive device. “It was determined that the device was under the motor … which would be behind where the seat of the mower is.”

A lab for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is processing those items and a suspicious device found Aug. 14 on a ramp to the Pennsylvania Turnpike in North Huntingdon. The item in a wooden box appeared to be a pipe that was capped on both ends, police have said.

Feryus testified that Sever told investigators he was storing two bombs in a garage at the Salem property. Police suspect he was behind the device in North Huntingdon. No charges have been filed.

Buczak denied a defense request Monday to set bail for Sever. He remains in Westmoreland County Prison without bail.

“Mr. Sever should at least be entitled to a bail,” attorney Kevin Chernosky argued. “Your honor can set it as high as you like.”

Assistant District Attorney James Lazar said Sever brought a handwritten letter to court addressing the judge by his first name, requesting bail be set so he can work. Sever referred to the judge by a nickname upon entering the court building, Lazar said.

“This is the walking definition of a danger to the community,” Lazar argued.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)