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September 21, 2006

Lynch reiterates his opposition to Station plea deal

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch issued a statement late this morning, again saying he doesn't approve a plea agreement reached in The Station fire case.

Lynch made similar comments yesterday in a letter to victims' family members.

"Starting last night and continuing through this morning, I have been making
calls to inform the families of those who perished in The Station fire, and
the survivors, of the decision arrived at by Superior Court Associate
Justice Francis J. Darigan Jr. regarding the State's cases against Michael
Derderian and Jeffrey Derderian. All of my efforts are focused on reaching,
and reaching out to, as many of the victims and survivors as possible during
this most difficult time. This is my priority and my obligation.

"My intention was always to prosecute these two criminal cases at trial. I
do not agree with this disposition. I have not agreed to this disposition.
It disappoints me very much. I will share my views about it, and make myself
accessible to the news media, this afternoon."

Jeffrey and Michael Derderian have agreed to plead no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges, effectively ending the criminal prosecution against them.

In exchange for their pleas, Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. has agreed to a sentence of no jail time for Jeffrey Derderian and four years to serve in prison for Michael Derderian.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 11:58 AM | Permalink

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