Rochester/Webster, N.Y. - The trial of a Webster teenager accused of setting a fire that killed his father and two of his brothers has been pushed back to April.
16-year-old Michael Pilato is charged with murder, attempted murder, and arson for the fire in December 2011. His mother and his sister escaped the fire with injuries.
Many of the first responders who came to the Pilato house in December of 2011 also worked on the Christmas Eve fires and ambush in Webster. Attorneys on both sides of the Pilato case agreed that this was not the right time to ask those firefighters and police officers to testify about a fatal fire.
"I felt that it was in Michael's best interests, and to a large extent for the officers and first responders who will be called to testify in this case," said Andre Vitale, Pilato's attorney. "We're pushing it off so the healing process can occur before this case is tried."
District Attorney sandra Doorley agreed. "We were prepared to go trial in January. After Christmas Eve, I spoke to the people involved. We just think a brief adjournment is in everyone's best interest."
13 WHAM's Evan Dawson spoke to Michael Pilato's mother away from the cameras at the Hall of Justice today. She's been visiting Michael every week and waved hello to him in court today. Pilato's mother said that Michael is depressed. Dawson asked if he was remorseful, and she replied, "He is very remorseful. That's all I am going to say."
Jury selection for Michael Pilato's trial will begin on April 15th.
