Former neighbor speaks out on man charged in Louisville hotel explosion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former neighbor of the man who is charged in the explosion at a Lyndon hotel is speaking out about his behavior she's witnessed in the past.

Lori Graham has lived in Middletown for years. But for seven years, she said she lived next door to Leonard Pitchford.

Pitchford is charged with using a weapon of mass destruction after an explosion at the Springhill Suites in Lyndon.

Graham said Pitchford hasn't lived in her neighborhood for about seven months.

Saturday morning, he was in arraignment court seen repeatedly rolling his eyes and laughing.

Graham said she would see Pitchford pacing outside his house and one time she says she saw him running up and down the driveway naked.

"He would come out and stand on the deck screaming and yelling and cussing and it just got to the point nobody could ever let their kids out and play," said Graham.

Pitchford has several charges in Kentucky's court system. Graham said Pitchford has been in and out of court several times.

"The police officers are doing everything they can do and now it's time for our courts to do something. I would like for them to evaluate him," Graham said. "Don't give him the option of going and getting evaluated, put him in a hospital and have him evaluated."

Middletown Police Chief Rob Herman said Pitchford has previously violated court orders.

"The mental health system in Kentucky failed him. The criminal justice system has failed him," Herman said. "He’s now reached this level where he could’ve killed or injured numerous people."

Herman said police noticed a decline in Pitchford's mental health and he's become more violent. Pitchford was building explosives and setting them off in his backyard but claimed they were fireworks, according to Herman.

Pitchford's next court appearance is scheduled for June 30.

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