NW Indiana scrap dealer convicted of razing historic bridge

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - A federal jury has convicted a northwestern Indiana scrap-metal dealer of interstate transportation of stolen goods for allegedly demolishing a historic railroad bridge and selling the metal.

Sixty-eight-year-old Kenneth R. Morrison of Whiting was convicted Thursday following a four-day trial. He's scheduled for sentencing on March 21.

Prosecutors said Morrison and a work crew cut up the unused Monon Bridge that spanned the Grand Calumet River near downtown Hammond and sold it to Illinois scrapyards for $18,000. He also allegedly sold parts to an East Chicago scrap dealer.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports Morrison's defense attorney told jurors his client believed the bridge was abandoned property.

But prosecutors said Morrison knew the city of Hammond owned it because he'd twice unsuccessfully sought work permits from Hammond officials to scrap it.