2nd jury to hear from informants in fatal fire

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Jurors in the retrial of a man suspected in the arson deaths of a woman and eight children will hear incriminating testimony from at least some jailhouse informants.

The testimony by inmates who shared cellblocks over the years with Antun Lewis, 29, was denounced by the defense as unreliable.

The defense said their testimony was prompted by money paid by the government — one man got more than $20,000 over several years — or the prospect of leniency in their own criminal cases.

U.S. District Court Judge Solomon Oliver, who is presiding over jury selection in the case for a second time, agreed and threw out the conviction last year.

The government indicated at least some of the jailhouse informants would return to the witness stand. Testimony could begin today after the jury visits the scene and both sides present opening statements.

The informants included career criminals such as alleged accomplice Marion Jackson, who testified he agreed to set the fire but backed out and instead served as a lookout.