Plea Ends Case over 1995 Blaze that Killed 3 Firefighters

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man accused of having set a Pittsburgh blaze that killed three firefighters more than a quarter of a century ago has entered a plea that carries a conviction but spares him further jail time while allowing him to continue to maintain his innocence. Forty-four-year-old Gregory Brown Jr., who served 20 years of a life sentence before winning a new trial, appeared in federal court Wednesday to enter the plea. The judge called it a “just and reasonable” end to the case, saying “It’s time to move on.” The 1995 Valentine’s Day blaze killed Capt. Thomas Brooks and firefighters Marc Kolenda and Patricia Conroy.