NEW CITY – On June 20, Nathaniel Sommer and Aaron Sommer appeared before Rockland County Court Judge Kevin Russo in connection with the fatal fire at the Evergreen Home for Adults.
Nathaniel Sommer, 72, of Monsey entered a plea of guilty to one count of manslaughter for the death of Firefighter Jared Lloyd and one count of manslaughter for the death of Oliver Hueston, a resident at the facility.
Manslaughter was the top count in the indictment.
Aaron Sommer, 29, of Monsey entered a guilty plea to reckless endangerment as a misdemeanor for his actions leading to the fatal fire.
Judge Kevin Russo accepted the guilty plea of both defendants and stated that he intends to impose a sentence of five years of probation for Nathaniel Sommer and three years of probation for Aaron Sommer.
In the public’s interest and to provide as much information as possible, the DA’s office is releasing the following documents:
NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Investigation Report – https://drive.google.com/…/1cXBn52jh…/view
Defendant’s Omnibus Motion w/ Exhibits – https://drive.google.com/…/1cDQqLFWC7AyZ…/view
People’s Affirmation in Opposition to Defendant’s Omnibus Motion – https://drive.google.com/…/1SN2…/view
New York State Department of Public Service Investigation Report – https://drive.google.com/…/12TR2DLqf…/view
Defense Expert Report of John J. Lentini – https://drive.google.com/…/1a2qbkIy…/view
Court Transcripts for June 20, 2023 (Peoples position can be located on the bottom of pg. 13 and top of pg. 14) – https://drive.google.com/…/15…/view
The matter is still pending in front and not fully disposed of until sentencing is complete. Therefore, any public comments outside of the record made in court on that date is inappropriate, the DA said.
Sentencing was adjourned to September 20, 2023.
