Experts: Pool case won't be an easy one

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Under state law, one factor in a manslaughter charge is "recklessness," defined as performing an action with the knowledge of a significant and unjustifiable risk of death or injury to another.

"Manslaughter is not just taking out a gun or a knife and taking somebody's life," Riccio said. "It is not unheard of for business owners to be arrested for something they do in the conduct of their businesses that is deemed illegal and results in death."

Paul Pennington, president of the Florida-based Vac-Alert, a company that manufactures a safety vacuum release system, said Lionetti could argue that Connecticut's regulations regarding installing dual-drain systems are unclear.

But Pennington said Connecticut law was clear on requiring a safety vacuum release system on pool drains. "I think that this arrest is going to result in a whole lot of pools across the country being much safer," Pennington said. "Pool contractors are going to give more thought to following the building codes."

- Staff Writer Martin B. Cassidy can be reached at martin.cassidy@scni.com or at 625-4439.

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