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Maryland millionaire found guilty in death of worker hired to build nuclear bunker


(Photo: Montgomery County Police Department)
(Photo: Montgomery County Police Department)
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A Montgomery County jury has found Daniel Beckwitt guilty of murder in connection to the death of a man he hired to dig tunnels for an underground nuclear bunker at his home.

Just after 7 pm Wednesday, a jury convicted Beckwitt on charges of involuntary manslaughter and 2nd Degree “depraved heart” murder.

27-year-old Beckwitt, a wealthy stock trader, cried in court as that verdict was read.

“We’re very grateful for the verdict of the jury,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy. “This is a tough case.”

It’s a case that dates back to 2017. That’s when Beckwitt hired 21-year-old Askia Khafra to dig tunnels for an underground bomb shelter that Beckwitt wanted to be built beneath his home in Bethesda.

On a September afternoon, a fire broke out in the basement of Beckwitt’s home. Prosecutors say Khafra was killed because Beckwitt created hoarding conditions inside the home that prevented Khafra’s escape.

RELATED: Accident or murder? Md. millionaire on trial for fiery death of man digging secret tunnels

Photos and video of the secret tunnel system were made public for the first time after Wednesday’s conviction, along with photos depicting the hoarding conditions and piles of trash inside Beckwitt’s home.

“Literally when you look at the photos, it becomes almost impossible to imagine how under any circumstance anyone would make their way in or out of this house, in addition to the basement where the fire broke out,” said McCarthy.

On Wednesday evening - a jury agreed: finding Beckwitt guilty of second degree "depraved heart"murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection to the deadly fire.

RELATED: Deadly fire exposes wealthy Bethesda man's secret underground tunnels

“I want to indicate that I’m very happy with the verdict. It has restored my sense of faith in the justice system,” Dia Khafra, the victim’s father.

He also thanked the Montgomery County Police detectives who investigated the case and the attorneys who prosecuted it in court.

“I felt like I was surrounded by love and care and people who wanted to see us get justice, and that we have received,” he said.

Beckwitt now faces up to 30 years behind bars.

Immediately after the conviction, defense attorneys said they are already planning to appeal.

“I just told him there’s a lot more fight in this case. He’s very disappointed. He absolutely believes he’s not responsible for the death of his friend and found it hard to accept the fact that the jury found otherwise,” said Defense Attorney Robert Bonsib.

Beckwitt’s sentencing hearing is set for June 17.

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