Five Plead Not Guility in Nursing Home Fire Case

This week, five people that were charged in connection to a deadly Vallejo retirement home fire have pled not guilty.  The fire led to the death of three nursing home residents.

The defendants entered their pleas on Tuesday in Solano County Superior Court.  Jules Arthur, Ruben Islas, Martha Islas-Enriquez, Michael Hagigeorgio, and Jeremy Turner either own or operate the Casea de Vallejo retirement home and each is now facing two counts of manslaughter, two counts of elder abuse causing death and one count of elder abuse.

In August 2008, the fire was set by a resident who accidentally fell asleep with a lit cigar.  He and two other residents died in the blaze and more than 100 residents were displaced. 

According to authorities, the building's fire alarms had been disconnected during construction and were never re-connected.  A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August and the defendants are currently free on bail at this time.

If you or a close loved one has been a victim of elder abuse or nursing home negligence, now is the time to review your case and legal options by speaking with a personal injury lawyer.