El Cajon

A developmentally disabled former resident of the Linda Turman Guest Home in El Cajon pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of three residents in a fire there.

David Allen Giles, 20, pleaded guilty before San Diego Superior Court Judge J. Richard Haden just as his case was to be assigned to a courtroom for trial.

Haden dismissed three murder counts and an arson charge in a plea bargain agreement.

“We think it’s justice, knowing all the facts,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Brian Michaels said, adding that he conferred with officials from the El Cajon Police and Fire departments about the deal. “Everyone feels it’s justice.”

Giles, whose IQ is 89, could receive six years in state prison when he is sentenced March 17. Had he been convicted of three first-degree murder charges, he would have faced a sentence of 75 years to life in prison.

Giles was suspected of starting the Feb. 6, 1986, fire by lighting fingernail polish on some newspapers in a room at the home at 1280 Clarendon St.

Killed were residents Patty Melton, 33; Mark Buis, 34, and Pietra Corrao, 47. Buis’ wife, Deborah, 33, was seriously injured.

“The defendant did not intend anyone to die and is remorseful, as one could expect,” Michaels said.

Still serving a two-year term in prison is the facility’s former manager, Nayoma Raleigh, 41, of El Cajon. She was convicted Oct. 24 of two counts of involuntary manslaughter for turning off the alarm system at the home.

Raleigh testified that she occasionally turned the system off because it went off while she was cooking but that she remembered that she had left it on before the fire. The switches were found in the off position.

Giles remains in County Jail.