Many Spring Valley residents upset over sentencing decision in 2021 deadly Evergreen adult home fire

Some Spring Valley residents felt the decision not to put the two men responsible for starting the fire, Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer, behind bars was unfair to Jared Lloyd's family.

Jonathan Gordon

Sep 21, 2023, 12:30 AM

Updated 310 days ago

Share:

Spring Valley residents who have been following the Evergreen adult home fire case since volunteer firefighter Jared Lloyd's untimely death in March 2021 shared their frustrations on Wednesday evening.
Many felt the decision not to put the two men responsible for starting the fire, Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer, behind bars was unfair to Lloyd's family.
"That's not good. It's injustice for the family," said Spring Valley resident Blessed Shelembe.
Others felt the sentence of probation for both men set a bad precedent.
"Whether you've been in trouble or not, the law is the law. You can only go so far. You can only be just so lenient on people," said Spring Valley resident John Allen.
The Sommers, who are father and son, pleaded guilty to starting the fire as they were kosherizing the kitchen at the Evergreen Court Adult Home for Passover.
Lloyd was part of the team who helped save more than 100 residents' lives before the building collapsed and trapped him leading to his death.
His family, supporters, and firefighters have been highly critical of the plea deal reached between the Sommers and prosecutors.
Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said in part of a prepared statement following the sentencing, "We take into account a myriad of factors from the defendant's history to the intent and the nature of the crime. Always adhering strictly to the ethical principles that guide our legal profession."
Lloyd leaves behind both his parents, as well as two sons.


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

2:04
Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued