SIX QUEENS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HONORED BY NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today that six Queens Assistant District Attorneys have been honored by the New York City Fire Department for their work in the investigation and successful prosecution of two fatal arson fires and a massive gas explosion.

District Attorney Brown said, "It is extremely gratifying when an agency as renowned as the New York City Fire Department recognizes and publicly acknowledges the excellence of our office's work. The prosecutors honored by the Department are talented professionals dedicated to doing justice. They have served the people of Queens County in the highest traditions of public service for many, many years and I am very proud of the recognition that they have received."

The six Queens Assistant District Attorneys honored by the Fire Department are: Charles A. Testagrossa, Chief of the District Attorney's Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau and Dennis J. Twomey of the District Attorney's Trial Division for the successful prosecution of the individual responsible for the arson murder of Firefighter Peter McLaughlin; Anselmo A. Alegria, a Deputy Bureau Chief in the District Attorney's Trial Division, for the successful prosecution of the individual responsible for the arson murder of Lt. John M. Clancy; John R. Mechmann and John G. Carney of the District Attorney's Economic Crimes and Arson Bureau for their work in the investigation into the explosion of Hyo Shin Presbyterian Bible Church which occurred on September 24, 1996; and Michael J. Mansfield, Chief of the District Attorney's Economic Crimes and Arson Bureau for his leadership and professionalism in the prosecution of arson cases in the County.

The six Queens Assistant District Attorneys were among 17 members of law enforcement agencies and 24 Fire Department personnel honored at a ceremony held yesterday at Fire Department Headquarters in Brooklyn. Three Assistant District Attorneys from Brooklyn, one Assistant District Attorney from Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island and five Police Officers were also honored at the ceremony which was presided over by Mayor Guiliani and Fire Commissioner Thomas von Essen.