Manslaughter charges filed in Bronx explosion that killed fire chief
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Upgraded charges were unsealed Tuesday in the third indictment against two suspects whose alleged illegal marijuana grow house sparked an explosion that killed an FDNY batallion chief in the Bronx.
Julio Salcedo and Garivaldi Castillo came back to court facing new charges of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Michael Fahy, who was killed when the house exploded in September of 2016.
He and other firefighters had responded to a report of a gas leak, and Chief Fahy was directing the evacuation when he was fatally struck by debris.
The men were initially charged with assault and drug offenses related to the pot growing operation found in the house. All of these indictments were consolidated, even as defense attorneys claim the men are innocent.
"They cannot connect the death of anybody or the assault of anybody to both of our clients," attorney Dawn Florio said.
Related: Exclusive: Suspect in Bronx grow house explosion speaks out from prison
Prosecutors argued to substantially increase the bail from $500,000 to $750,000, to which the judge agreed.
"There is no reason to increase bail, especially not by that much," defense attorney Daniel McGuinness argued.
The suspects' attorneys say they are anxious to see the evidence collected and want to move the case forward as quickly as possible.
"We want to see that evidence," McGuinness said. "We think it will show our clients were not connected to that explosion in any way."
