In a court filing today, Biechele's attorney says that community service is an appropriate punishment.

"Daniel Biechele is already serving a life sentence and there will be no parole," writes his lawyer, Thomas G. Briody. "But he will better serve the memory of these victims by performing community service and working as a productive citizen than by sitting in a prison cell.”

Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch has already filed a motion asking Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan to impose the maximum sentence.

In the motion filed today, Briody writes that the court should show mercy.

"Many months ago, during pretrial hearings, this court stated that no one would be happy at the end of this case. The end is almost upon us, and the court's observation is truer now than ever before," according to the motion.

"If there is one lesson to be taken from this proceeding, it is that grief and retribution should not determine the sentence of Mr. Biechele. Instead, in this unusual case, where the loss is so extreme but the criminal conduct was no more than a misdemeanor, the court should show mercy."

Biechele's sentencing will span three days beginning this Monday, with statements from relatives of fire victims.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker