Group objects to parole of arsonist in 1981 LA fireman's death

[NJFFSA16]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Local officials and family members are
seeking to block the parole of a hired arsonist convicted of
first-degree murder after a firefighter died battling a restaurant
blaze 23 years ago.
Thomas Taylor, 34, was part of a fire crew trying to douse the
flames that consumed a cafe in Los Angeles' North Hollywood section
on Jan. 28, 1981. He died of smoke and soot inhalation after
falling through the roof of the burning building. He left behind
two sons.
Mario Catanio, then a 42-year-old barber, was later convicted on
charges of murder and burglary and sentenced to 25 years to life in
prison for setting the fire for two owners hoping to collect on an
insurance policy.
The owners received 10-year terms after pleading guilty to
federal charges of arson homicide.
On Tuesday, Taylor's brother, father and sons, along with Los
Angeles Fire Chief William Bamattre, will lead a delegation to
Sacramento to ask the state Board of Prison Terms to reverse a
March ruling that Catanio was suitable for parole.
If no objections are made, the board reviews the decision before
it goes to the governor's office for final approval.
But county officials said Tuesday's hearing was necessary
because they were prevented from voicing their objections at an
earlier board meeting after a notification letter was sent to the
incorrect address.
Catanio "should never get out," said Los Angeles County
prosecutor Kenneth Barshop. "Anybody who would sell their soul for
$2,500 and disregards what happens is always a danger. That's what
Tom Taylor's life cost."
A defense lawyer countered that Catanio has transformed himself
and been a model inmate.
"He doesn't present a danger to anyone," said attorney Steve
Defilippis. "He's entitled to a parole date, and to go home."
Taylor's death continues to weigh heavily on relatives and
firefighters who battled the early morning blaze that injured seven
others.
Firefighter Jeff Taylor recalls arriving at his firehouse to
several dispirited captains with news about his brother.
"They said he was lost. There was an accident and he was
lost," Taylor said. "I had to pointedly ask, `Is he dead or not?'
And they said, `Yes, he's dead."'
Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Reagan
remembers how firefighter Thomas Shrout tried to pull Taylor onto
an aerial ladder before Taylor fell.
Shrout "had a real tough time with it. It was a horrible
thing," Reagan said. "He always felt he should have been able to
get him up."

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[FWDbuff]

WHY IS THE SCUMBAG EVEN STILL ALIVE? After being found guilty, he should have been lead out into the backyard of the courthouse, where a nine millimeter bullet should have been dispatched into his brain in a prompt, orderly efficient military manner.

[MalahatTwo7]

FWD, you and I are apparently of a similar mind. I guess thats why they dont allow us military types to carry out justice.......

[NJFFSA16]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The state parole board rescinded a
recommendation to free an arsonist convicted of first-degree murder
for a blaze that killed a Los Angeles firefighter 23 years ago.
Eight members of the state Board of Prison terms met in
Sacramento Tuesday and disapproved a recommendation to parole Mario
Catanio that was made in March by a two-member panel.
That recommendation would have gone to the full board and then
to the governor's office.
Los Angeles city Fire Chief William Bamattre, county District
Attorney Steve Cooley and other officials argued that they were not
properly notified that Catanio might be paroled. Officials said
they were prevented from voicing their objections at an earlier
board meeting after a notification letter was sent to an incorrect
address.
"The board felt that the notice for the previous hearing was
defective, and that there should be a rehearing," said Tip Kindel,
a parole board spokesman.
No new hearing was scheduled but it could be set within six
months, authorities said.
Catanio's lawyer, Steve Defilippis, said the reversal was "made
entirely on political pressures and not on what the law is."
He noted that dozens of firefighters packed Tuesday's board
hearing.
"In the face of no legal authority, they scheduled a new
hearing and set their earlier decision aside based on the political
pressure of 50 to 70 firefighters showing up," he said.
Catanio, 63, of Van Nuys, is serving 25 years to life in prison.
He was convicted in 1983 of setting a fire at Cugee's Cafe in North
Hollywood. Authorities said the restaurant owners paid him $2,500
to set the 1981 blaze to collect the insurance.
Firefighter Thomas G. Taylor, 34, died when the roof collapsed.
Seven others were injured battling the blaze.
Cafe owners Henry Martinez and Arlene Boyle pleaded guilty to
federal charges of arson homicide and are serving 10 years each in
prison.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)