By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — Father and son rabbis have received probation in a plea deal for starting a deadly nursing home that killed one resident and Spring Valley Fire Department 2nd Lieutenant Jared Lloyd in 2021.
Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer admitted to Judge Kevin Russo to using a blowtorch and coals to koshering the kitchen of the Evergreen Court Assisted Living Facility in Spring Valley, which started the fatal fire, News12 reported.
The pair will likely not serve any jail time.
Firefighters shouted, “No justice for Jared!” outside the Rockland County Courthouse on Tuesday as the terms of the plea deal were announced. The decision drew an angry response from Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Patch reported.
“As a former first responder I am appalled at the fact that the Lloyd and Hurston families will not get the justice they deserve, as the reports are indicating the two people responsible for this deadly blaze will likely not face any jail time for their reckless and felonious behavior,” Day said in a statement.
Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer pleaded guilty to manslaughter and reckless endangerment. Nathaniel Sommer also admitted to causing the deaths of Lt. Jared Lloyd and an Evergreen resident. Aaron Sommer pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment.
The deal between the Sommers’ attorneys and District Attorney Tom Walsh includes probation and fines, but no jail time.
[RELATED: 6 charged in NY care home fire where firefighter, resident died]
Jared Lloyd’s parents and over 100 firefighters from the area made their voices heard to prosecutors and the judge.
“There should have been some accountability. The district attorney should not have negotiated probation. There is a minimum and maximum sentence. Neither one of them was considered. Yes, we are mad. Rockland County is mad,” Sabrail Davenport, Lloyd’s mother said.
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