A San Diego firefighter who lives in Bonita pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor battery in an off-duty 2012 incident in which two other firefighters also pleaded guilty to injuring an intoxicated man in Normal Heights.
The guilty pleas by Vadid Cisneros, 40, of Bonita, Andrew Brennen, 33, and Gregory Econie, 29, both of San Diego, end their long running case in San Diego Superior Court.
Monday was the trial date for the trio, and felony charges of assault, robbery, making a criminal threat, and dissuading a witness from testifying were all dismissed by Judge Michael Smyth after they all pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery.
A felony conviction could have resulted in the loss of their jobs, but attorneys for two firefighters said Monday night they hoped they would be able to keep their jobs. Cisneros is a 15-year veteran, while Brennen has been a firefighter for 14 years and Econie eight years.
Smyth placed the trio on three years probation, and ordered them all to perform 100 hours of volunteer work at a nonprofit organization. They were each fined $655 and given credit for one day in jail spent on Feb. 26, 2012.
Attorneys estimated the trial would have lasted 4-6 weeks. The preliminary hearing in 2013 lasted eight days.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Runyon said the guilty pleas were accepted because one of two brothers who were injured had died and his testimony from 2013 would have had to be read back. Defense attorneys had filed a motion seeking the testimony of the late Willie Martinez, 46, barred from the trial. Martinez had a heart attack in 2014.
Alcohol consumption played a role as both Luis and Willie Martinez and the off-duty firefighters had been drinking. The robbery stemmed from the firefighters taking identifying items from Martinez’s wallet and keeping them in order to show police who he was.
“This case was overcharged from the get-go,” said attorney Gretchen von Helms, who represents Brennen, Monday night. “Our guys got kind of beaten up. They defended themselves.”
“I certainly hope the fire department would recognize the valuable (work) by these firefighters,” said von Helms. “I believe the city realizes how valuable these employees are.”
Attorneys showed Smyth a packet of 75 supporting letters from other firefighters and people in the community. They all work in different fire stations and were free on their own recognizance.
