Thomas MacMillan Photo
As his brother was ruled competent to stand trial for art theft, Peter Nestir proclaimed his innocence — sort of.
“He didn’t steal the artworks,” Nestir (at right in photo) said. “He was involved to some extent.”
Nestir declined to elaborate on his brother Bronislaw “Bruno” Nestir’s involvement in the theft of 39 paintings from venues in New Haven last year.
Peter Nestir was in the seats in courtroom 6A of New Haven Superior Court on Church Street on Monday afternoon. He watched as his brother Bruno stood before Judge Roland Fasano.
Bruno was arrested on March 21 2009 and charged with larceny, possession of guns and narcotics, and selling drugs. Police say he was receiving stolen paintings from an art thief and doling out bags of heroin in return. The 39 paintings — including some from Yale’s Slifka Center and the Free Public Library — were recovered.
On Monday, Fasano accepted the findings of a report on Bruno’s mental competency to stand trial. He ruled that Bruno is competent and released him on a promise to appear again in court on June 3.
Bruno posted a $125,000 bond following his arrest in March 2009. After questions arose about his competency to stand trial, Bruno spent 60 days in a hospital — until his release on Monday.
Bruno’s attorney, Rob Serafinowicz (at left in photo), said his client has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His client has “lived a difficult life,” Serafinowicz said, shortly after Fasano banged his gavel to close the hearing. “That has to be taken into account.” Bruno has dealt with substance abuse and physical health problems for most of his life, Serafinowicz said. That has affected his “ability to make rational decisions,” he said.
“I feel bad that all this has happened,” said Peter, who lives in Hamden. He said the situation has been “very stressful” for the Nestir family.
Bruno lives on Sylvan Avenue, on the second floor of a house owned by his mother.
