Man accused in fight may face new charges

A veteran Boston firefighter charged with assault and battery after a bar fight last week could face new charges, after the man he allegedly fought with died Friday night, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office.

Paul J. Crowley, 62, a contractor from Whitman, had a heart attack and collapsed in the parking lot of the Polish American Club in Hyde Park on Tuesday after he allegedly fought Paul Nemes, 58, of Norwood, a Boston firefighter of 22 years. Crowley died Friday night at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, a spokeswoman said.

Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, said yesterday that Nemes still faces the initial charges. "We will, however, review the medical evidence, the facts and circumstances of the incident, and all the relevant law in the days that come to determine whether additional charges are warranted," Wark said.

Nemes was released on bail after he pleaded not guilty to assault and battery charges Wednesday in West Roxbury District Court. Last week, Steve MacDonald, a Boston Fire Department spokesman, told the Globe that Nemes has an excellent work record and would remain on staff. Yesterday, MacDonald said the department had no further comment.

"It has nothing to do with the Fire Department," he said about the case. "That's something that happened off duty, so it's really in the hands of the investigators and the court system right now."

Phone calls to Nemes's and Crowley's homes were not returned yesterday.