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September 20, 2006

FLASH: Derderians plead no contest to Station fire charges

PROVIDENCE -- Michael and Jeffrey Derderian will plead no contest later this month to the 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter that each face in The Station fire trial.

The brothers were co-owners of the West Warwick nightclub, which was destroyed by fire on Feb. 20, 2003, killing 100 people and injuring more than 200.

The announcement was contained in a letter dated today from state Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch to families of fire victims.

The plea comes as jury selection was in progress in the trial of Michael Derderian.

The two are due to enter their plea on Sept. 29.

In exchange, Michael Derderian will be sentenced to 15 years in prison with four years to serve, followed by three years probation. Jeffrey Derderian will be sentenced to 10 years in prison, all suspended, with three years probation, and 500 hours of community service.

A third defendant, Daniel Biechele, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges. He was sentenced to 15 years, with four to serve. Biechele was the band manager for Great White, who touched off the pyrotechnics that started the blaze. The worst fire in state history, it reverberated around the country, spurring reviews and changes in fire codes.

More to come...

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 6:00 PM | Permalink

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