Closing arguments are now scheduled for Monday morning in the case of a former Erie firefighter trying to get her job back.
Testimony in the trial wrapped up today at the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Erie. And the jury heard two very different versions of what prompted the firing in April 2007.
Mary Wolski, the city's first female firefighter argues she was illegally terminated because of severe depression. The city says the reason was a fire she admitted setting in a suicide attempt.
Wolski admitted she set fire to clothes in a bathtub in December 2006, while she was off the job, suffering from severe depression after the death of her mother. She was fired even though no criminal charges were ever filed.
On the stand today, Erie Fire Chief Tony Pol said he had nothing against Wolski. But he said, "Once a firefighter sets a fire, they can no longer be a firefighter."
On cross examination, he admitted he was also concerned about Wolski's depression and medications. But he said they weren't the reasons she was terminated.
Wolski wants to be reinstated to her job, and get back pay.
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