PORTLAND, Maine - Prosecutors expect to meet with the lawyer for a Portland landlord to discuss a plea deal that could involve criminal charges stemming a November fire that killed six people at one of his properties.
Matthew Nichols, the attorney for Gregory Nisbet, says his client will not accept any deal that includes a manslaughter charge, something prosecutors previously said could be possible. Nisbet owned the two-family Noyes Street building that burned.
District Attorney Stephanie Anderson says if there is no plea agreement in place, charges will be filed.
A lawsuit brought against Nisbet alleges the property was run as a rooming house, where residents rented individual rooms, and an emergency exit was impassable.
Fire officials said none of the smoke detectors were working when the fire broke out.