10:11 PM EDT on Friday, July 14, 2006

One of the men convicted in firefighter Strawn Nutter's death gets a second shot at freedom next week.

Investigators say David Bronk masterminded the arson that killed Nutter nearly 12 years ago, and they want him to stay in prison.

It was determined that the arson meant to cover up evidence of a burglary in a storage facility.

Two of the people eventually convicted in that crime watched the flames crawl to the sky. David Brock saw firefighter Strawn Nutter fall through the roof.

“I hold him most culpable of all the defendants in the death of Sgt. Nutter,” said arson investigator, Major Henry Ott.

Nutter died from his injuries.

Prosecutors eventually convicted five people, including one juvenile, in connection with that fire and Nutter's death.

Maj. Henry Ott says Nutter’s death is difficult for many firefighters, even now.

“You know it was a rough thing to put behind them and move forward, and I'm sure some of them think about it every day they come to work,” said Ott.

David Brock was convicted of arson and manslaughter in that 1994 fire. On Monday he's up for parole again.

“I understand the hate ... I apologize,” said Bronk.

Bronk was up for parole six years ago, and told the parole board he didn't have anything to do with setting that fire.

“I never meant for it to happen ... I'm sorry,” said Bronk.

His apologies didn't help - the parole board returned him to prison for another six years.

Major Ott has already written the board asking them to deny Brock again.

“It involves a public servant who basically went out there to protect the public and lost his life in that role,” said Ott.

Bronk’s parole hearing will consist of two parts.

Strawn Nutter's family - including his widow, Angela - will have a chance to talk to the parole board on Monday.

Later in the week, the parole board will meet with David Bronk, face to face, at the Blackburn prison in Lexington to listen to his reasons to be released from prison. They'll make a decision that day.