The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — A city firefighter pleaded not guilty Friday to fatally shooting three people and wounding two others in a dispute prosecutors say was about fireworks at a neighbor’s Fourth of July party.
Terrance Hough Jr., 35, was ordered held without bond. He is charged with three counts of aggravated murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Hough’s lawyer, John Hildebrand, said he would challenge the prosecutors’ contention that Hough planned the killings. If convicted, the 12-year fire department veteran could face the death penalty.
Hildebrand said it was more likely that Hough acted in “a blind rage,” which would be a less-serious murder charge.
Hough’s neighbors were shooting off fireworks when police say he shot and killed Jacob Feichtner, 24, who lived in the house where the party was held; Bruce Anderson, 30, of Parma; and Katherine Rosby, 26, of Lakewood.
One wounded survivor said Hough fired without warning.
Hough’s wife had called police several times between 2003 and 2005 complaining about loud noise, drugs, underage drinking and problems with neighbors, according to police reports.