A plea deal has been reached Wednesday in the case of two former students charged with setting a dorm fire at Seton Hall University that killed three people.

The prosecution dropped the murder charges and accepted guilty pleas from both men. Defendant Joseph LePore pleaded guilty to third-degree arson, third-degree tampering and resisting arrest. The other defendant, Sean Ryan, pleaded guilty to third-degree arson and third-degree witness tampering. The plea deal was reached as the trial for both men was about to begin. Attorneys for both men cited flaws in the state?s case that they believe led to the deal.

LePore and Ryan had ignited a banner in a third-floor lounge of their dorm in January of 2000. Three students were overcome by the smoke and died and dozens were injured trying to escape the flames. Both men, now 26, now face a five-year state prison sentence with parole eligibility at 16 months. Prosecutors may also seek fines at their sentencing on January 26.

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