James Speidel, a business director for SPARQ, Nike's athletic performance division. was accused of trying to blow up his Bethany, OR home in an attempt to kill his wife and four children. Speidel, 36, was charged with five counts each of attempted aggravated murder and first-degree attempted assault, along with one count of attempted arson.
A little before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday April 24, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports that Speidel’s wife and children, ages three to nine, fled the home after allegedly smelling a strong odor of natural gas.
After Speidel's arrest, he was lodged in the Washington County Jail on $1 million bail. Speidel was arraigned in Washington County Court Wednesday, and was reportedly on suicide watch in the jail Wednesday night.
Erin Dobson, spokesperson for Nike, confirmed to news station KOIN Local 6 that Speidel is the business director for SPARQ, an athletic performance division. Dobson had no comment on the charges.
