May 19, 2013
One of two men charged with setting the March fire that destroyed the FOP Lodge in Niles has agreed to testify against the other as part of a plea agreement.
According to the Niles Daily Star, 19-year-old Kyle Kelley of Niles pleaded guilty last Friday and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9.
Berrien County's Assistant Prosecutor says Kelley agreed to plead guilty and testify against his co-defendant, 25-year-old Gary Nellans of South Bend. In exchange, the prosecution won't use Kelley's prior felony convictions against him in this case.
Both men were accused of being drunk, stealing a car and crashing it into a guardrail. They then allegedly stole a second car, lit the backseat on fire and let it roll into the lodge.
Nellans' trial is scheduled for next Tuesday.
