Romans’ bond set at $4 million

Bond was set at $4 million for a former Madison County man charged with killing his wife and two children more than a decade ago.

Peter Romans pleaded not guilty Thursday morning in the Madison County Courthouse to charges that he intentionally set the fire that killed his wife of 24 years, Billi, their 12-year-old son, Caleb, and 16-year-old daughter, Ami, at their home in southeastern Madison County on April 6, 2008.

Romans’ attorney, Sam Shamansky, argued that his client should be released on his own recognizance, stating he had “absolutely zero incentive to flee.” Peter Romans, speaking with his attorney Sam Shamansky at his arraignment Thursday, is accused of setting the fire that killed his wife and two children in 2008.

The state was opposed to any bond, given the seriousness of the offense.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled to begin Aug. 28.

Romans’ trial will be heard by retired Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Janet Burnside. Burnside was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court after Madison County Common Pleas Judge Eamon Costello stepped aside because of his role as an assistant prosecutor in Romans’ investigation.

Romans was arrested Monday morning by Franklin County SWAT officers after being indicted by a Madison County grand jury on four counts each of aggravated murder and arson and three counts of murder.

He is being held in the Tri-county Regional Jail in Mechanicsburg.