** Former New York medic convicted of murdering ex-wife, torching her home
** Preliminary report issued on May deaths of Houston, Texas EMT/firefighters
CANADA NEWS
** Sentencing has been set for December 19th for a former New York EMT convicted of murdering his ex-wife in 2008 and then setting fire to her home to cover it up. The New York Post (Laura Italiano/September 29) said Paul Novak was found guilty in the death of Catherine Novak on September 27th. According to the newspaper, Novak killed Catherine to obtain $800,000 from a homeowner and life insurance policy. Both his girlfriend and former EMT buddy testified against him. For convictions on first degree murder, arson, grand larceny, and insurance fraud, Novak could be sentenced to life behind bars.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** The deaths of three Houston, Texas EMTs and one firefighter on May 31st of this year were caused by injuries sustained from a building roof and wall collapsing onto them. That is the word from News Fix Now (October 2) which quoted from the Harris County Department of Forensic Sciences preliminary report. The tome found Captain EMT Matthew Renaud perished from smoke inhalation, as did Engineer Operator EMT Robert Beebe. Beebe also suffered wounds from the fire itself. Likewise, firefighter/EMT Robert Garner died from compressional asphyxia as did firefighter Ann Sullivan. Sullivan also showed signs of blunt head trauma and smoke inhalation. The deaths of the four marked the worst one day loss of life in the city’s fire department history. A final report on the matter is pending.
