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January 8, 2008

Update: Station victims' kin to speak on Derderian parole

PROVIDENCE -- The state parole board will hear tomorrow night from relatives of the 100 people killed by a nightclub fire five years ago.

Michael Derderian, the former co-owner of The Station nightclub, becomes eligible for parole after serving one-third of his four-year prison sentence.

The fire began when pyrotechnics used by the rock band Great White ignited flammable foam on the club's walls.

Daniel Biechele, who set off the pyrotechnics as the band's tour manager, was also sentenced to four years but is due to be released on parole in March.

Some victims' families say they will urge the parole board to not release Derderian early. They continue to hold him responsible and say they're not convinced he has shown genuine remorse.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Warwick Police Department. Family members who wish their testimony to be closed to the public will speak first. After they're done, the meeting with more testimony will be open. Derderian will not be there.

The parole board is scheduled to meet with Derderian in prison next week before issuing its decision.

-- The Associated Press, with reports from Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:15 PM | Permalink

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