By JOE OGLESBY

One of three Cuban exiles charged with making a plastic bomb was acquitted Wednesday after two key witnesses said that the man was not in the house prior to the explosion.

Circuit Judge Arden Siegendorf dismissed the charge of illegal possession of an explosive device against Joaquin Miranda.

Two other defendants, Humberto Lopez and Luis Crespo, both 33, also are charged.

Alfredo Sayus Jr. and his father testified that Miranda was not in their garage the night of March 20 when the device exploded in the faces of Crespo and Lopez, seriously injuring them.

The Sayus' said they had admitted Crespo and Lopez in their garage to do carpentry work.

James Woodard, assistant state attorney, said that Alfredo Sayus Jr., previously told police that Miranda was in the house prior to the explosion.

Sayus said Wednesday that he might have been confused when interviewed by police. He said that Crespo was his friend and that he knew Miranda and Lopez prior to the incident.