LOS ANGELES (AP) – A University of California, Los Angeles, chemistry professor agreed Friday to settle criminal charges from a fatal fire in his laboratory by preparing inner-city high school students for college chemistry, performing community service and paying a $10,000 fine.
The so-called deferred prosecution means felony charges remain pending until professor Patrick Harran, 44, completes the terms of the deal, including five years of teaching high school summer classes and 800 hours of service at a UCLA hospital or health service.
Harran had faced up to 4 1/2 years in prison if convicted in the Dec. 29, 2008, lab fire that killed research assistant Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji. Sangji was transferring a chemical when it spilled, igniting on contact with the air. Sangji, 23, wasn’t wearing a protective coat, and her sweater melted into her skin. She died 18 days later.
In a downtown courthouse Friday, Sangji’s siblings opposed the settlement, saying Harran should face a trial or plea to the charges, City News Service reported.
Harran acknowledged in court that he was Sangji’s direct supervisor and he was “ultimately responsible for the safety of personnel,” the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said in a statement.