3 Indicted in Great White Club Fire - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-10-2003, 01:06 AM

Three Indicted in Deadly Nightclub Fire

WARWICK, R.I. (Dec. 9) -- The owners of the nightclub where 100 people were killed in a fire last February were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday along with the tour manager for the heavy metal band whose pyrotechnics sparked the blaze.

Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian were each charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter - two counts for each of the 100 deaths. They were charged for having the flammable soundproofing foam that caused the fire to spread, and for alleged negligence in their management of the club.

Great White tour manager Dan Biechele was charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter for setting off the stage fireworks that ignited the fire.

''I understand that no grand jury finding would or could ever speak to the profound suffering and sorrow the victims and their loved ones have endured,'' state Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in announcing the indictments after meeting privately with survivors and victims' families.

All three men pleaded innocent Tuesday, and they were released after posting bail. Bail for the club owners was set at $5,000 cash, while bail for Biechele was set at $10,000 cash. Involuntary manslaughter carries up to 30 years in prison.

''They are not criminals. They did not commit any criminal acts and they should not be charged with any crime,'' said Jeffrey Pine, attorney for Jeffrey Derderian.

''While we are deeply sympathetic to the victims, the fact remains that Dan Biechele is not guilty of the charges brought in this case,'' said Biechele's attorney, Tom Briody. ''He could not have known of the dangerous conditions that existed inside The Station.''

The indictment marks the first criminal charges to result from the Feb. 20 fire at The Station nightclub. About 200 people were injured in what was one of the deadliest fires in the nation's history.

The fire started after the pyrotechnics were shot off just seconds into Great White's first song, quickly igniting the foam that had been placed around the stage. Thick smoke quickly spread through the club and within minutes, the one-story, wooden building was engulfed in flames, trapping clubgoers as they rushed toward the same exit.

The cause of the fire was known almost immediately and the victims' final moments were captured by a local television cameraman who was gathering footage for a story on safety in public places.

While the band maintained it received permission to set off the fireworks, the club owners insisted permission was never given.

Members of Great White, who have been named in several civil suits, were not charged by the grand jury. Great White was a popular band during the 1980s heavy metal era, with hits such as ''Once Bitten, Twice Shy'' and ''Rock Me.'' The band's guitarist, Ty Longley, was among those killed the fire.

Pine said he was ''disturbed'' that the band's lead singer, Jack Russell, was not charged. He also said he believed officials from the town should have been charged.

Fire and building inspection reports released by West Warwick never mentioned the foam that surrounded the stage, and the club had passed its last inspection - two months before the fire.

''The town inspected this club over and over and over and did not cite them for any violations,'' Pine said. ''We're disturbed that nobody in the town was held accountable.''

Ed McPherson, an attorney for Great White, said the band was relieved, but still saddened over the tragedy.

Phone messages left with Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer, and town Solicitor Timothy Williamson were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Lynch said the three defendants were charged with two types of involuntary manslaughter: one for ''gross negligence,'' the other for committing a misdemeanor such as a fire code violation that led to a death.

Authorities investigated the blaze for more than nine months, picking through the charred remains of the site for evidence and interviewing witnesses. They seized computers, documents, club records and appointment books from band members and the club's owners. Investigators also took inspection reports from the town and receipts from a foam manufacturer and collected dozens of items from the site of the fire, including club doors, wiring, spray paint and foam samples.

In the wake of the fire, Gov. Don Carcieri called for emergency inspections of all public buildings similar to The Station nightclub, and the state formed a commission to investigate the blaze. State lawmakers passed stringent new fire-safety standards, including stricter rules on sprinkler requirements for older buildings.

The blaze also led other states to propose tougher fire regulations for clubs.

Great White recently wrapped up a five-month tour to raise money for fire victims. The band raised just under $64,000, but its tour was criticized by family members of victims who blamed the band for the fire and said the tour was self-serving.

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.

Janice · 12-10-2003, 01:58 PM

Lawyer: Singer is relieved but agonizing

Singer Jack Russell, whose explosive stage presence turned a Rhode Island concert club into a fan-packed pyre, was ``relieved'' to be spared criminal culpability for the fourth deadliest fire in U.S. history, but remains tormented by his role in rock 'n' roll infamy, his lawyer said.

``Jack is still agonizing over this,'' attorney Neil Philbin said yesterday after informing the frontman for Great White that the grand jury investigating the Feb. 20 disaster at The Station in West Warwick, R.I., had indicted Russell's tour manager, Dan Biechele, and club owners Jeff and Michael Derderian on 200 counts each of involuntary manslaughter.

Great White guitarist Ty Longley, 31, and roadie Jeff Rader, 32, were among the 100 people killed when a pyrotechnics display Biechele set off ignited foam soundproofing on the stage, spooking hundreds of fans to stampede for the exits.

When he spoke with him yesterday, Philbin said Russell ``expressed his sorrow about this entire tragedy.'' He said Russell, 43, is ``devoted'' to raising money for the victims' families by continuing to perform with his Grammy nominated '80s blues-rock band.

Great White, whose coast-to-coast tour to support The Station Family Fund picks up next week in Wisconsin, has raised nearly $64,000 of the $133,899 that had been collected for the victims as of Nov. 22.

Russell acknowledged in a recent interview with an online classic rock magazine that he knew some people would want Great White to pay far more dearly for the fatal fire and that he briefly turned to prescription pills to ``numb'' his emotional pain. But, Russell said, ``I picked myself up and dusted myself off and had to be a man.

``Grief is a really difficult thing to deal with,'' he said. ``I will understand if someone is upset with us or wants to blame us. That is their prerogative.''

Paul Vanner, The Station's sound man, believes Russell, who'd used fireworks before, should have shared the blame.

``Jack definitely had something to do with it,'' Vanner said. ``Dan Biechele can't just go out and OK an expense like pyrotechnics. If Great White's footing the bill, Jack Russell is going to know about it.

``What the band did in the past should definitely have a bearing on this.''

Boston Herald

12-10-2003, 01:06 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	3 Indicted in Great White Club Fire Three Indicted in Deadly Nightclub Fire WARWICK, R.I. (Dec. 9) -- The owners of the nightclub where 100 people were killed in a fire last February were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday along with the tour manager for the heavy metal band whose pyrotechnics sparked the blaze. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian were each charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter - two counts for each of the 100 deaths. They were charged for having the flammable soundproofing foam that caused the fire to spread, and for alleged negligence in their management of the club. Great White tour manager Dan Biechele was charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter for setting off the stage fireworks that ignited the fire. ''I understand that no grand jury finding would or could ever speak to the profound suffering and sorrow the victims and their loved ones have endured,'' state Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in announcing the indictments after meeting privately with survivors and victims' families. All three men pleaded innocent Tuesday, and they were released after posting bail. Bail for the club owners was set at $5,000 cash, while bail for Biechele was set at $10,000 cash. Involuntary manslaughter carries up to 30 years in prison. ''They are not criminals. They did not commit any criminal acts and they should not be charged with any crime,'' said Jeffrey Pine, attorney for Jeffrey Derderian. ''While we are deeply sympathetic to the victims, the fact remains that Dan Biechele is not guilty of the charges brought in this case,'' said Biechele's attorney, Tom Briody. ''He could not have known of the dangerous conditions that existed inside The Station.'' The indictment marks the first criminal charges to result from the Feb. 20 fire at The Station nightclub. About 200 people were injured in what was one of the deadliest fires in the nation's history. The fire started after the pyrotechnics were shot off just seconds into Great White's first song, quickly igniting the foam that had been placed around the stage. Thick smoke quickly spread through the club and within minutes, the one-story, wooden building was engulfed in flames, trapping clubgoers as they rushed toward the same exit. The cause of the fire was known almost immediately and the victims' final moments were captured by a local television cameraman who was gathering footage for a story on safety in public places. While the band maintained it received permission to set off the fireworks, the club owners insisted permission was never given. Members of Great White, who have been named in several civil suits, were not charged by the grand jury. Great White was a popular band during the 1980s heavy metal era, with hits such as ''Once Bitten, Twice Shy'' and ''Rock Me.'' The band's guitarist, Ty Longley, was among those killed the fire. Pine said he was ''disturbed'' that the band's lead singer, Jack Russell, was not charged. He also said he believed officials from the town should have been charged. Fire and building inspection reports released by West Warwick never mentioned the foam that surrounded the stage, and the club had passed its last inspection - two months before the fire. ''The town inspected this club over and over and over and did not cite them for any violations,'' Pine said. ''We're disturbed that nobody in the town was held accountable.'' Ed McPherson, an attorney for Great White, said the band was relieved, but still saddened over the tragedy. Phone messages left with Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer, and town Solicitor Timothy Williamson were not immediately returned Tuesday. Lynch said the three defendants were charged with two types of involuntary manslaughter: one for ''gross negligence,'' the other for committing a misdemeanor such as a fire code violation that led to a death. Authorities investigated the blaze for more than nine months, picking through the charred remains of the site for evidence and interviewing witnesses. They seized computers, documents, club records and appointment books from band members and the club's owners. Investigators also took inspection reports from the town and receipts from a foam manufacturer and collected dozens of items from the site of the fire, including club doors, wiring, spray paint and foam samples. In the wake of the fire, Gov. Don Carcieri called for emergency inspections of all public buildings similar to The Station nightclub, and the state formed a commission to investigate the blaze. State lawmakers passed stringent new fire-safety standards, including stricter rules on sprinkler requirements for older buildings. The blaze also led other states to propose tougher fire regulations for clubs. Great White recently wrapped up a five-month tour to raise money for fire victims. The band raised just under $64,000, but its tour was criticized by family members of victims who blamed the band for the fire and said the tour was self-serving. Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.

12-10-2003, 01:58 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Lawyer: Singer is relieved but agonizing Singer Jack Russell, whose explosive stage presence turned a Rhode Island concert club into a fan-packed pyre, was ``relieved'' to be spared criminal culpability for the fourth deadliest fire in U.S. history, but remains tormented by his role in rock 'n' roll infamy, his lawyer said. ``Jack is still agonizing over this,'' attorney Neil Philbin said yesterday after informing the frontman for Great White that the grand jury investigating the Feb. 20 disaster at The Station in West Warwick, R.I., had indicted Russell's tour manager, Dan Biechele, and club owners Jeff and Michael Derderian on 200 counts each of involuntary manslaughter. Great White guitarist Ty Longley, 31, and roadie Jeff Rader, 32, were among the 100 people killed when a pyrotechnics display Biechele set off ignited foam soundproofing on the stage, spooking hundreds of fans to stampede for the exits. When he spoke with him yesterday, Philbin said Russell ``expressed his sorrow about this entire tragedy.'' He said Russell, 43, is ``devoted'' to raising money for the victims' families by continuing to perform with his Grammy nominated '80s blues-rock band. Great White, whose coast-to-coast tour to support The Station Family Fund picks up next week in Wisconsin, has raised nearly $64,000 of the $133,899 that had been collected for the victims as of Nov. 22. Russell acknowledged in a recent interview with an online classic rock magazine that he knew some people would want Great White to pay far more dearly for the fatal fire and that he briefly turned to prescription pills to ``numb'' his emotional pain. But, Russell said, ``I picked myself up and dusted myself off and had to be a man. ``Grief is a really difficult thing to deal with,'' he said. ``I will understand if someone is upset with us or wants to blame us. That is their prerogative.'' Paul Vanner, The Station's sound man, believes Russell, who'd used fireworks before, should have shared the blame. ``Jack definitely had something to do with it,'' Vanner said. ``Dan Biechele can't just go out and OK an expense like pyrotechnics. If Great White's footing the bill, Jack Russell is going to know about it. ``What the band did in the past should definitely have a bearing on this.'' Boston Herald