Most charges against city firefighter dismissed
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A city firefighter who went into a South Side Flats home with his friends and brother after drinking had most of his charges dismissed at his preliminary hearing today.
Timothy P. Coyne, 24, of Upper Lawrenceville, entered Aaron Gilkey's house on Jan. 9 with his brother, Brian Anthony Coyne, 26, also of Upper Lawrenceville. District Judge Ronald Costa dismissed charges including burglary, criminal conspiracy and simple assault and convicted the brothers of summary offenses of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
They will each have to pay a $150 fine and perform 40 hours of community service. Together they will have to pay about $35 in restitution for damaging Mr. Gilkey's wall and sweatshirt.
Judge Costa dismissed all charges against a third person who entered the house, Patrick J. Byrne, 23, of Stanton Heights.
Mr. Gilkey testified today that he and some friends were inside their house when, around 2:30 a.m., he saw someone outside the window and a car in front of his house. He opened the door to see what was happening and saw someone urinating on his lawn.
Timothy Coyne ran at him, pushed the door open, entered his house and pushed Mr. Gilkey against the wall and into the stairs, grabbing and ripping his sweatshirt, Mr. Gilkey said. He and his friends yelled at the group to get out of the house, he said.
Mr. Gilkey said the group left after Mr. Byrne encouraged them to leave.
First Published May 25, 2010 11:40 am
