LOCAL NEWS
03:40 PM CDT on Monday, October 3, 2005
Jack Cordua, the vagrant who was charged with manslaughter after
investigators said he started a fire inside a vacant house that led to
the death of a Houston firefighter, pleaded guilty Monday. He was
sentenced to 12 years in prison. KHOU-TV Jack Cordua, 39, has admitted to accidentally starting the fire that killed a Houston firefighter.
Cordua's trial was set to begin Monday prior to the plea deal.
HFD firefighter Grady Burke, who died in the blaze, and fellow firefighters had no idea the burning home, was empty when they went inside in search of possible victims. Burke left behind a wife and three small children.
If convicted at trial of the second-degree felony, Cordua could have received up to 20 years in prison.
The official sentencing will take place on Oct. 7 at which time the family of Grady Burke will be allowed to address Cordua.
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