Station trial likely to last 3 to 4 months
Posted 10:30 a.m.

WARWICK -- The judge for the trial of Station nightclub co-owner Michael Derderian told potential jurors this morning that the case is likely to last 12 to 16 weeks.

But Judge Francis Darigan told the 109 potential jurors that the length of the trial would not be enough to excuse them from service.

Darigan also introduced Derderian to the jurors.

After listening to Darigan explain the process of jury selection, the jurors began filling out forms, which was expected to take them up to two hours.

An earlier report said 112 jurors potential jurors showed up this morning, but that number was later amended by a court spokesman. More potential jurors are expected this afternoon.

-- Reported by projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Derderian arrives at courthouse
Posted 8:33 a.m.

WARWICK -- Station nightclub fire trial defendant Michael A. Derderian arrived at the courthouse at about 8:30 a.m. for the first day of jury selection.

Derderian rushed into the courthouse without comment. He was accompanied by his wife and his attorney.

A large group of videographers and still photographers surrounded and followed him.

-- Reported by projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Media staking out courthouse for Station trial
Posted 8:08 a.m.

WARWICK -- The news media are waiting for jurors walking into the new Kent County Court House for the trial of Station nightclub owner Michael A. Derderian this morning.

Three television videographers and at least two still photographers are standing by the courthouse entrance as the jurors trickle in this morning.

Another television camera and reporter are stationed a little farther from the door.

The jurors, who were told to report by 8:30 a.m., range from younger citizens in T shirts and jeans to older men in suits and ties.

-- Reported by projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

Jury selection for Derderian trial begins today
Posted 7:38 a.m.

WARWICK -- Jury selection in the trial of Station nightclub co-owner Michael A. Derderian is scheduled to begin this morning in the new Kent County Court House.

Derderian faces 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter, 2 for each of the 100 people who died in the February 2003 fire at the West Warwick nightclub.

Jury selection is expected to take a long time. The first witnesses will not take the stand until next month. Little will happen in the public eye this week.

Potential jurors will report to the courthouse in four separate groups today and tomorrow. One group will report in the morning and one in the afternoon each day. The jury commissioner sent summonses to 800 potential jurors. Many of those have been excused because they are unable to serve. About 500 remain in the pool that is expected this week.

Jurors will gather in a room in a secure part of the courthouse, where they will watch a 16-minute video titled "Called to Jury Service: Why Me?" The video outlines what jury service entails.

After watching the videos, jurors will be brought to a courtroom on the fourth floor, where Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. will greet them and they will be sworn in. Then, everyone but the jury commissioner and the potential jurors will leave the room. Jurors will fill out a 32-page questionnaire and leave.

Read more about the upcoming trial and look back at the fire and its aftermath.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

-- Compiled by projo.com producer Jack Perry