WARWICK, R.I., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The owners of a Rhode Island nightclub and the tour manager of the band playing when a fire killed 100 people, were indicted Tuesday.
Jeff and Michael Derderian, brothers who owned The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., and Dan Biechele, the tour manager for the band Great White, were named in an indictment handed down by a statewide grand jury.
All three men, appearing in Kent County Superior Court, were charged with 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter with criminal negligence and 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in violation of a misdemeanor. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. All three pleaded innocent.
On Feb. 20, 2003, Great White had just begun its act when pyrotechnics used by the band caused a fire in the crowded club. The fire spread so quickly, people became trapped, leading one official at the scene to say the bodies "were stacked like cordwood" near the front door.
Biechele had set up the pyrotechnics. The band claimed it had permission from the club's management to use the fireworks. The Derderrians denied giving permission.
