Man awaiting new trial in East Hills fire that killed 3 firefighters released from prison

PITTSBURGH — A man initially found guilty for starting a 1995 house fire in East Hills that killed three Pittsburgh firefighters was released from Allegheny County Jail Friday to await a new trial in the case.

A judge on Wednesday ruled Gregory Brown Jr.’s case nolle prossed, meaning it can no longer be tried on the state level.

“(It’s a) dream come true. I’m innocent I should have never been in there in the first place but better late than never,” Brown said.

The case now shifts to federal court, where Brown was indicted earlier this month. It’s a move his attorney, Dave Fawecett, fought against.

“Greg has been in prison for 20 years on a wrongful conviction,” Fawecett said. “He’s still in jeopardy. The government has shown every interest in not following the evidence where it leads or seeking the truth.”

With Brown sentenced to life in prison, his case took a turn when the Innocence Project got involved. New evidence revealed investigators promised to pay two key witnesses to testify against Brown – a fact the jury never knew.

“From the start what you had was an ATF officer out of control. It’s a nightmare for any person to realize what occurred here,” Fawecett said.

Brown has waited more than two years behind bars for his new trial. His last few months of waiting will now happen out from behind bars.

“I’m just happy to be with my mom and (the) rest of my family,” Brown said.

Fawecett said the new trial was initially scheduled to begin in January, but he expects it could be delayed until spring or summer.

Mike Manko of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office released the following statement about the case on Wednesday:

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