by PATRICE O'SHAUGHNESSY
In the nearly four years since a Bronx inferno killed two of their brother firefighters and sent them plunging 50 feet, Jeffery Cool and Eugene Stolowski have made strides mending their broken bodies.
They can't say the same for their quest for justice.
Wednesday, Cool, 41, and Stolowski, 37, walked into a Bronx courtroom hoping the trial of three people charged with manslaughter in the so-called Black Sunday fire would finally get underway.
Rafael Castillo, Cesar Rios, Caridad Coste and the company that owns 234-236 E. 178th St. were indicted in March 2006 for carving up apartments into an allegedly illegal warren that trapped six Bravest in a blaze on Jan. 23, 2005.
The men were forced to jump from the fourth floor to escape flames and smoke.
Lt. Curtis Meyran and Firefighter John Bellew died in the fire. Firefighters Brendan Cawley and Joseph DiBernardo also survived.
After some delays, a trial was set to start Sept. 2, but that start date was postponed to next month because defense lawyer Neal Comer has medical issues.
"It keeps getting delayed," Cool said. "I want to see justice."
Continuing health problems for both Comer and prosecutor Jeffrey Glucksman led acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett to adjourn the trial yet again Wednesday, this time to Dec. 1.
Cool shook his head, and Stolowski frowned a little.
The defendants rushed out of the courtroom. Coste smiled as she waved a photographer away.
"To see a smile on her face makes me sick to my stomach," Cool said.
Bronx district attorney spokesman Steven Reed said the firefighters' frustration "is understandable. We're ready to go to trial."
"I understand their feelings," said Comer, who represents the building owner, "but cases can take a lot of time."
As for the lawyers' medical issues, Cool said, "We all have issues we'll live with for the rest of our lives."
Cool, who needed multiple operations, spent three weeks in a coma and suffers constant pain. He retired from Rescue 3 last year.
Stolowski suffered an internal decapitation when he fell - his skull separated from his spine - and four of his neck vertebrae are now fused. He works with the FDNY family assistance unit.
"I'll be here on Dec. 1," he said firmly.
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