March 12--The Pennsylvania Superior Court on Tuesday temporarily suspended a judge's decision to allow a $750,000 bond for an East Hills man accused of starting a fire in 1995 that killed three Pittsburgh firefighters.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Joseph K. Williams on Monday set bond for Gregory Brown, 36, over objections from the Assistant District Attorney Ronald Wabby, who later filed an emergency petition for the court to review the decision. Brown's attorneys did not immediately return calls Wednesday. They have until March 21 to file a response.
Brown, who maintains his innocence, has been serving three consecutive life terms for setting the Feb. 14, 1995 fire at the Bricelyn Street house to help his mother collect insurance money. Firefighters Patricia Conroy, 43, Marc Kolenda, 27, and Capt. Thomas Brooks, 42, died when a stairwell collapsed.
Williams, in February, granted Brown a new trial based on evidence that prosecutors never told jurors and the defense that a federal agent and a prosecutor promised two key witnesses cash rewards for their testimony. A trial date has not been set.
Adam Brandolph is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-391-0927 or [email protected].
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