James Lomma, Crane Owner, To Go On Trial In Deadly NYC Collapse

NEW YORK — A construction crane owner whose rig collapsed and killed two workers in New York City is poised to go on trial in the only criminal case stemming from the disaster.

Opening arguments were set for Tuesday in James Lomma's manslaughter trial.

Crane operator Donald C. Leo and fellow worker Ramadan Kurtaj were killed in the May 2008 collapse on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Prosecutors say Lomma pinched pennies on a crucial repair job that failed and caused the collapse. They say he failed to take steps to ensure the repair was sound.

Lomma's lawyers say he acted responsibly in getting the repair done. And in court documents, they say expert witnesses have concluded the crane fell apart because it was pulled up too high, not because the repaired part failed.

Comments

[smlyttle]

02:50 AM on 02/22/2012

Real sad. Money is important, but I hope no one thinks its more important then lives.

[jobrijim3]

01:30 PM on 02/21/2012

lomma-GUILTY . just his name alone makes him guilty

[Tom J Monahan]

12:19 PM on 02/21/2012

Involunatry manslaughter at best,yes his penny pinching may have caused there deaths but I it wasn't intentional.These contractors have to be taugh a lesson,stop cutting corners or people are going to die.Thanks God it was only two,yes I know two it too may.Keep in mind it was a disaster and the potental for alarge amount of victims were present including the danger to rescue personnel, since then what has been done to prevent this from happening again..????