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January 31, 2006
Biechele to plead guilty to 100 manslaughter counts
PROVIDENCE - The band manager who shot off the fireworks that started The Station nightclub fire has agreed to plead guilty to 100 of the 200 counts of manslaughter filed against him, the judge handling the case announced this afternoon.
In exchange for a guilty plea, Daniel Biechele, would be sentenced to no more than 10 years in prison, Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. said in a brief hearing today.
Biechele, who was not in court today, is scheduled to enter his plea a week from today. The court will accept it, the judge said.
No date was set for sentencing.
-- projo.com staff writer Jack Perry
Biechele was charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter in December 2003 and was scheduled to go on trial May 1.
Club co-owners Jeffrey A. and Michael A. Derderian were also each charged in December 2003 with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter.
All three defendants were charged under two separate legal theories for each of the 100 people who died from the fire at the West Warwick club.
Biechele agreed to plead guilty to charges brought under a theory of manslaughter as a result of a misdemeanor, but not manslaughter as the result of gross negligence.
Posted by Andrea Panciera
at 2:32 PM | Permalink
Daniel Biechele look like a scapegoat. There were alot of other factors at work which created this catastrophe such as the: prohibited flammable foam, locked exits, fire code violations, etc.. How come the AG Patrick Lynch has not charged any officials? Remember, 100 people died, in one of our state's worst disasters. Is the AG Patrick Lynch protecting Democratic cronies? It sure looks that way.
Posted by: Citizen Critic at January 31, 2006 03:28 PM
I applaud the manager for taking some of the heat here but the ultimate responsibility should be placed solely on the shoulders of the owners of the Station. The fact that they filed bankruptcy should not supercede any responsibilities that they have to the families of the victims and should not excuse them from their punishment in the end. They deserve to serve some prison time too.
Posted by: lafond at January 31, 2006 04:16 PM
Biechele should have pled guilty because he IS guilty. He's the one who pushed the button that started it all. However, I wonder where Jack Russell is? He's Beichele's boss, the one who gave the order, why isn't he charged? What about the fire and building inspectors who inspected the building numerous times, including months before the fire and deemed it safe? Where are they? Why are a few taking the heat for so many?
Posted by: kb at January 31, 2006 07:26 PM
I lost my best friend Scott Griffith in this tragedy - I believe that the owner of this club was totally negligent when he used unsafe toxic foam on the walls of this club for soundproofing the walls to cut down on the noise exposure to the neighbors and residents - the T V Show 20/20 had a special segment on this catasrophe where they showed the actual type of foam that was used - the owner cut a financial corner and bought the cheapest stuff he could knowing full well that it was not fire retardant and would be toxic if it burned - also the fire department should have never let this stay up as a social place of gathering - and the band blowing off fire flash pods on stage with only a eight Foot Ceiling was stupid and wrong.This is whole thing hurt and killed so many and it isn't fair that we lost our friends and family - fire exits closed off ???!!! I don't care if this jerk filed bankruptcy or not he should have to face up to this happening !! How could the Fire Marshall let this be put be up on the walls ! God Bless these poor people that lost there lives for no reason and my heart goes out to their families . Kevin Jones - We Miss You Scott Griffith
Posted by: Kevin Jones at January 31, 2006 10:02 PM