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.''
