SPOKANE — The trial of a crew boss charged in a deadly wildfire that killed four firefighters in 2001 will begin May 5.
Ellreese Daniels, 47, is accused of making decisions “in wanton and reckless disregard for human life” that led to the deaths of four firefighters during the Thirtymile Fire near Wenatchee in July 2001. He is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter.
His attorney, Assistant Federal Defender Tina Hunt, said at a pretrial hearing Tuesday that prosecutors want Daniels to plead guilty to “a felony” to avoid going to trial on the four felony counts.
“My client is refusing to plead to a felony,” Hunt told U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Hopkins told the court that the two sides have discussed a plea bargain, without results.
“As we stand here today, the government does not believe there’s a high likelihood of the case resolving,” Hopkins said.
Daniels, of Lake Wenatchee, is believed to be the first federal firefighter to face criminal charges alleging negligence resulting in the deaths of fellow firefighters.
An unattended campfire sparked the Thirtymile fire in north-central Washington’s Okanogan National Forest. Initially believed to be a simple mop-up job, the fire exploded, trapping 14 firefighters and two hikers on July 10, 2001.
Killed were firefighters Tom Craven, 30; Devin Weaver, 21; Jessica Johnson, 19, and Karen FitzPatrick, 18, all from central Washington.
Daniels is accused of failing to order his firefighters to a safe area as flames advanced. He is also charged with seven counts of making false statements to investigators.
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