A Pittsburgh firefighter accused by police of entering a South Side Flats house and drunkenly assaulting a resident will return to work next week, to the chagrin of Fire Bureau brass.

A trial board of firefighters met today to consider Fire Chief Darryl Jones' suspension of Timothy P. Coyne, 23, who has been off of work since the Jan. 9 incident that brought charges of assault and drunkenness.

After lengthy discussion, the panel chosen partly by union leaders and partly by management, decided to hold off on its consideration until after the criminal case is resolved.

"I'm not happy with it," said Chief Jones. "We were prepared to move forward with the trial board today, and I wanted the trial board to make the decision, guilty or not guilty."

But state law and the city's contract with the International Association of Firefighters allows the board to opt to postpone its deliberations. "We still have to follow those rules," said Chief Jones.

Mr. Coyne will undergo a physical and probably return to work by Thursday. He will not get back pay for his four weeks of suspension.

"If he's found guilty in the legal court, then chances are the trial board is going to find him guilty," said Chief Jones.

Union President Joe King could not be reached for comment.

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