Seattle firefighters balk at Pang’s impending release
May 29, 2018, 2:18 PM
Martin Pang, right, flanked by his attorney John Henry Brown, appears for a hearing Thursday March 21, 1996 in King County Superior Court in Seattle. (AP Photo/Mike Urban, Pool)
(AP Photo/Mike Urban, Pool)
The man who set the warehouse blaze that killed four Seattle firefighters in 1995 is expected to be released from prison this fall, but some firefighters think he should stay behind bars.
Martin Pang, 62, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of four counts of manslaughter. The state Corrections Department says he’s served his sentence with credits for good behavior.
The Seattle Fire Fighters Union issued a statement on Tuesday saying Pang does not deserve to be free and has repeatedly demonstrated a complete disregard for life or law.
“Lt. Walter Kilgore, Lt. Gregory Shoemaker, FF Randall Terlicker, and FF James Brown died due to selfish and heinous actions. They each leave behind families, friends and co-workers. Seattle Fire Fighters will never forget the service and sacrifice of these heroes.”
Pang is expected to be released from prison on September 27. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tweeted late Friday night that Pang should not be granted an early release.
Martin Pang should never be granted an early release. He is responsible for the death of four heroic firefighters who gave their lives in service of our community. The families of the fallen and are forever changed because of his cowardly and deadly actions.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny)
