By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,556)

Justice Thomas Warren found Portland landlord Gregory Nisbet innocent of manslaughter charges  today in his Portland courtroom. However, Nisbet was found guilty of a misdemeanor – a window that was too small to permit anyone to exist from it.  Nisbet still has to face a civil trial.

Nisbet waived his right to a jury trial – that began earlier this month.

Almost two years ago, November 1, 2014, a 3-alarm fire took the lives of a total of six (6) young people following a Halloween party the evening before.  It was the worst fire in more than forty (40) years in Portland and attracted national media attention.  The devastating fire began in a smoking receptacle on the front porch of the Noyes Street building.

Following the fire Portland established a fire safety task force that was run by city employee Julie Sullivan.  No renters were allowed to participate in the meetings,despite numerous requests.to do so.  As a result of the task force a Housing Safety Office was established in December of 2015 at city hall.

It was administered by Arthur Howe.. .