Landlord Goes to Prison Following 18-Death Fire
Judicial precedent was established in New York State on April 9 when a Niagara Falls landlord was sentenced to serve from two to five years in Attica Prison for first-degree manslaughter arising from the November 16, 1957, catastrophic fire that took 18 lives in the honeymoon city. [FIRE ENGINEERING, December 1957]
The conviction of William Dietz, 27, a former Niagara Falls policeman, is believed to be the first time in New York State that a felony conviction has been obtained under the state’s Multiple Residence Law. Dietz, who was found guilty on March 18, faced a maximum prison jolt of from 10 to 20 years. The Niagara County Court jury of 10 men and two women deliberated only six hours before returning their verdict. He was acquitted on a count of second degree manslaughter.
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