The Associated Press
WEBSTER, N.Y. — A teenager convicted of setting a fire that killed his father and two brothers inside their western New York home has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Local media outlets report that 16-year-old Michael Pilato was sentenced Wednesday in Monroe County Court in Rochester but didn’t comment.
Pilato was convicted last month of second-degree murder, attempted murder, murder by arson and arson. Police say he poured gasoline throughout his Webster home and set it ablaze in December 2011, killing his 71-year-old father, Carmen, and brothers, 16-year-old Peter and 12-year-old Josh.
Pilato’s mother and 13-year-old sister were injured.
A defense lawyer argued Pilato was experiencing “extreme emotional disturbance” when he set the fire.
Pilato’s mother supported him through the trial and says he didn’t purposely set the fire.