| rdfs:comment | - A former Bishop Canevin math teacher, who was growing marijuana in his Munhall home and had thousands of illegal explosives there that he used to make homemade fireworks, pleaded guilty Monday to three criminal counts. Nicholas Borrelli, 64, will serve five years probation. According to the prosecution, police were called to Mr. Borrelli's home on March 28, 2008, on a report of a medical alarm. When they entered, said Assistant District Attorney Dan Pietragallo, they smelled a strong scent of marijuana. "He was building homemade fireworks," said defense attorney David Shrager.
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| abstract | - A former Bishop Canevin math teacher, who was growing marijuana in his Munhall home and had thousands of illegal explosives there that he used to make homemade fireworks, pleaded guilty Monday to three criminal counts. Nicholas Borrelli, 64, will serve five years probation. According to the prosecution, police were called to Mr. Borrelli's home on March 28, 2008, on a report of a medical alarm. When they entered, said Assistant District Attorney Dan Pietragallo, they smelled a strong scent of marijuana. A search of the home revealed potted and drying marijuana plants, but also, Mr. Pietragallo told Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge David A. Cashman, 3,000 half-sticks of dynamite. "He was building homemade fireworks," said defense attorney David Shrager. Mr. Borrelli and his wife, Linda Borrelli, were originally charged with several counts, including possession of weapons of mass destruction and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Borrelli pleaded guilty to one count of risking a catastrophe, one count of arson and one count of possession of a controlled substance. All the other charges against him were withdrawn, as were the counts against Ms. Borrelli. When police first spoke to Mr. Borrelli, he told them he grew the marijuana for his wife. "I don't even smoke weed," he said at the time. As part of the plea deal, Mr. Borrelli agreed to give up his permit to carry a concealed weapon and to have all of his firearms destroyed. In addition, he worked with the Consumer Protection Agency, Mr. Pietragallo said, to disclose the source of the businesses where he purchased the explosive chemicals used in the fireworks. Since his arrest, Mr. Borrelli, who has no criminal record, has retired from teaching.
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