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BETHESDA, Md. - A Bethesda man facing a murder charge and found to have a network of tunnels underneath his home has been released from jail after posting bond on Monday.
Daniel Beckwitt has been charged with second-degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Askia Khafra following a fire at Beckwitt's house located on Danbury Road on Sept. 10. According to officials, Khafra died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
The victim was discovered in the basement of the home where an extensive system of tunnels and bunkers were located.
Last week in court, it was revealed that Beckwitt was building the tunnels because he feared a nuclear strike from North Korea. The property has been declared unsafe and neighbors want Beckwitt's house to be torn down. There is an ongoing civil lawsuit dealing with the property.
After his release on Monday, FOX 5 caught up with Beckwitt as he got out of a cab to get fitted for a GPS ankle monitor. We asked him why the fire started at his home and what exactly happened to Khafra. However, he repeatedly told us he is referring all comments to his attorney Robert C. Bonsib.
According to prosecutors, Beckwitt put Khafra to work in an environment he knew was dangerous. Tunnels were dug under a house described in court documents as having "hoarder conditions."
Prosecutors said Beckwitt would bring Khafra to his house to work, but did not want him to know where it was. Beckwitt would drive into Virginia for an hour before coming back to Bethesda where he would have Khafra wear blackout glasses while leading him inside the home by a string.
Since Khafra did not know the layout of the house and would have trouble escaping, prosecutors allege Beckwitt is responsible for his death.
The cause of the fire has still not been disclosed although court documents make reference to a "daisy chain" of wires laid throughout the house and into the tunnels below the basement.
Court documents also state that the entrance to the tunnels goes down 20 feet into the basement and then branches out 200 feet in several different directions.
Beckwitt is known on the internet as "3Alarm Lampscooter." His attorney described him in court as "an unusual guy."