A Scranton man accused of setting a blaze inside his ex-girlfriend's home - killing two of her sons - will get his day in court on Sept. 5, Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola said Monday.
Lackawanna County President Judge Thomas Munley will preside over the nonjury trial of William Woods, 43, whom city police charged in July 2010 with 24 counts, including first- and second-degree murder, for starting the blaze on July 21, 2009, at 166 S. Hyde Park Ave.
Mr. Jarbola and Assistant District Attorney Mark Giannotti will prosecute the case.
Prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty in exchange for him agreeing to waive his right to a jury trial.
To lock in that agreement, a one-day trial before Judge Munley was held in May. Mr. Jarbola called only one witness, Coroner Tim Rowland. The trial has been postponed since then.
The fire killed 9-year-old Taevon Miles, who died of burns and smoke inhalation, Mr. Rowland testified in May.
Taevon's 10-year-old brother, Michael Miles, also was killed in the fire. His mother, Tyaisha Leary, and 12-year-old brother, Nijea, were seriously injured.
City police believe the blaze originated in the home's dining room, possibly through a broken window, while everyone was asleep.
Mr. Woods is incarcerated at the Lackawanna County Prison without bail.
At his preliminary hearing, a cellmate testified Mr. Woods told him: "I did set the fire, but I didn't mean for the kids to get hurt."
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