PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Timothy Brosnan, of Swampscott, was arraigned in Lynn District Court on Monday.
BY THOMAS GRILLO
Timothy Brosnan, 57, a contractor who holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland, has been charged with arson. He set fire to the $800,000 home he built six years ago. Brosnan was arrested in front of his 11 Linden Ave. home on Saturday while the fire raged in the nine-room Contemporary. He told police that no one was home at the time and that he let the cat out of the house before spreading gasoline to fuel the inferno.
On Monday, he pleaded not guilty.
Katelyn Giliberti, an Essex County assistant district attorney, argued that Brosnan should continue to be held without bail at the Middleton Jail Essex County Correctional Facility.
She told Lynn District Court Judge James LaMothe that in addition to admitting that he spread gasoline in the house to ignite the three-alarm blaze, Brosnan also told authorities that he left a gas valve open which led to an explosion, putting firefighters and neighbors’ homes in danger.
“While Mr. Brosnan has no history with the courts, it’s clear that he suffered some kind of psychotic break,” she said. “There are no conditions of bail that would guarantee the safety of his family and the community.”
Brosnan, who appeared in court wearing gray sweatpants and a gray and white dress shirt, is in the midst of a divorce. Probate court recently ordered that his wife and their two young children have the home.
Gary Zerola, Brosnan’s attorney, told the court that his client should be released on $25,000 bail, noting that he has no history of violence and cooperated with police following the fire.
“He had led nothing but a good life,” he said. “He would like to get back to work and continue to make payments on both properties they own and make child support.”
Brosnan’s friend, Liliya Sherman of Marblehead, testified that he has been a friend for 18 years and has never shown any violent tendencies.
“He’s a very nice, kind man who would help anybody,” she said. “He’s very trustworthy, and I trust him around my family and my kids.”
But LaMothe rejected bail and ordered that he be held.
“This incident was out of character, but there’s nothing more dangerous than fire,” the judge said. “I am more than convinced that he is a danger.”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.