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Thread: A small measure of justice?

  1. #1
    Banned Blade's Avatar
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    Default A small measure of justice?

    Former Tour Manager Pleads Guilty to 100 Deaths in Rhode Island Nightclub Fire

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The former tour manager for the heavy metal rock group Great White pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday for setting off the pyrotechnics that caused one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.

    Under a plea bargain, Daniel Biechele, 29, will serve no more than 10 years in prison.

    The Feb. 20, 2003, blaze killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. It was the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history.

    Biechele set off a flashy pyrotechnics display during a concert at the West Warwick club called the Station. The sparks ignited flammable soundproofing foam inside the club, fueling a fast-moving fire that quickly enveloped the one-story wooden building and trapped concertgoers.

    Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts that accused him of lighting the pyrotechnics without the required permit, resulting in the deaths. An additional 100 counts will be dismissed, sparing Biechele what could have been many more years behind bars. Sentencing was scheduled for May 8.

    Some relatives of those killed in the fire have criticized the plea agreement, saying they wanted Biechele to stand trial. Dozens attended Tuesday's hearing, and many met with Attorney General Patrick Lynch afterward.

    "With the defendant's guilty plea, we will avoid a lengthy trial and ensuing appeals that could stretch on for years," Lynch said.

    During the hearing, several women dabbed their eyes with tissues, and one woman held up a small photograph of her daughter, who was killed in the blaze.

    The brothers who owned the nightclub, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, were also indicted in 2003 on charges of involuntary manslaughter. They were accused of installing the foam and have pleaded not guilty.

    Biechele's lawyer has maintained that he had permission to use the pyrotechnics, and on Tuesday, prosecutors said Biechele received permission from Michael Derderian to use them. The Derderians have insisted in the past that they never gave him permission.

    The attorney general said Biechele could testify against the Derderians if they go to trial.


    Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    Their punishments will NEVER be great enough. In my opinion, justice will NEVER be served for the 100 people (18 that I knew personally) who lost their lives. Both the owners and the band were negligent, but I believe, and will ALWAYS believe that the blame should be placed on the Derderians. I don't want to get into the whole thing.. It's coming up on the 3rd anniversary, and that's already difficult enough, but I would accept no plea bargains from any of them, it doesn't make anything better and those lives will NEVER be replaced. Fucking jerks.

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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    Well what can you say but how unfortunate for those who were killed . I feel bad for the guy who was held responsible for this and I can only imagine how he feels as well as those who lost a loved one . I'm sure there was a lot of finger pointing going on . I was involved in this biz years ago and have seen many times where people were instructed to push the envolope a bit in order to create a specticle for the audience .

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    That's why all clubs need competent fire and insurance inspections, and a little bit of intelligent management. There was plenty of negligence here, maybe or maybe not willful, but the thing was an accident not a purposeful torching. I could see something like this in India etc, but it still hard to imagine in the USA.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    At least he is accepting legal responsibility. I don't think it is fair to blame him for the level of (or lack thereof) punishment that the court gave him. Usually that is determined by min. and max standards. And the lawyer would be a poor lawyer if he did not try for a plea bargain. Let's keep in mind that he did not intend or plan to kill, it was an accident. While he is responsible it was in fact negligence, not intentional. Sometimes horrible things happen.

    Anyone know what the max for this crime is in R.I , by chance ?

    That said, my heart does go out to all the victims and their loved ones.

  6. #6
    Star_bare_elegance
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    He got off easy .... way too easy. Only in america can a man push a button and KILL 100 people only for the sake of a good show and get a "no more than 10 years" sentance. I wouldn't be surprised if the sent him to camp cupcake.

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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    Quote Originally Posted by Star_bare_elegance
    He got off easy .... way too easy. Only in america can a man push a button and KILL 100 people only for the sake of a good show and get a "no more than 10 years" sentance. I wouldn't be surprised if the sent him to camp cupcake.
    Agreed.

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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    Quote Originally Posted by Star_bare_elegance
    He got off easy .... way too easy. Only in america can a man push a button and KILL 100 people only for the sake of a good show and get a "no more than 10 years" sentance. I wouldn't be surprised if the sent him to camp cupcake.
    EXACTLY. He got off WAY too easy. All 3 of them are getting off easy. I also believe that the deaths of 100 people were a little more than "unfortunate". I'm not going off on you or anything, CuriousJ.. But their lives and tragic ends should not be discounted by such a simple statement. I saw it all first-hand being at the hospital that night, as well as living 2 minutes from the club. It's something that my Husband and I will NEVER forget. Although I did lose 18 in the fire, I am thankful that a very good friend got out. Imagine her horror as she was begging to be pulled from underneath a bunch of bodies, and her being convinced that she was going to die so she just closed her eyes and was going to go to sleep. I saw her shortly before I left RI, and she is a completely different person because of what she went through. In fact, I'll scan the article later so that everyone can read her words. She never saw the face of the man that pulled her out, but he's a hero for saving her, whoever he is.

    All three of them were responsible, but the fucking Derderians sure as hell should've noticed the pyrotechnics going in if they had been paying a little fucking attention.

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    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    If a plea was offered, it's because the prosecution's case was not particularly strong. And while folks might not like it, giving a man ten years is better than the prospect of an acquittal at trial--can you imagine the political fallout from such an event in RI?
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    I was simple for the simple reason that I was not there and I have seen what the media does with the truth .I regret that there was any loss of life that night . My statement merly was an observation based upon some of my own experiences with this business . I know that many other circumstances existed besides the fire that started in the building that was cause for the loss of life . The emergency exits for one and many other variables .Sorry that you lost friends that night Rhia trully I am .


    Quote Originally Posted by Rhiannon
    EXACTLY. He got off WAY too easy. All 3 of them are getting off easy. I also believe that the deaths of 100 people were a little more than "unfortunate". I'm not going off on you or anything, CuriousJ.. But their lives and tragic ends should not be discounted by such a simple statement. I saw it all first-hand being at the hospital that night, as well as living 2 minutes from the club. It's something that my Husband and I will NEVER forget. Although I did lose 18 in the fire, I am thankful that a very good friend got out. Imagine her horror as she was begging to be pulled from underneath a bunch of bodies, and her being convinced that she was going to die so she just closed her eyes and was going to go to sleep. I saw her shortly before I left RI, and she is a completely different person because of what she went through. In fact, I'll scan the article later so that everyone can read her words. She never saw the face of the man that pulled her out, but he's a hero for saving her, whoever he is.

    All three of them were responsible, but the fucking Derderians sure as hell should've noticed the pyrotechnics going in if they had been paying a little fucking attention.

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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    Quote Originally Posted by Star_bare_elegance
    He got off easy .... way too easy. Only in america can a man push a button and KILL 100 people only for the sake of a good show and get a "no more than 10 years" sentance.
    Oh, come now. Bush and Rumsfeld did that purposefully to over 2200 and they got 8 years.

    Besides this was a huge accident, like a airline mechanic that did not replace a bolt, which broke on landing a plane and the accident caused hundreds to die and be maimed by a collapsed landing gear. An accident, something they didn't check out or forgot. Have you ever had one of those?
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

  12. #12
    God/dess Gia2608's Avatar
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    I am from RI, it really sucks that people died but I don't think ANYONE should go to jail for it; it was an accident plain and simple.
    XoXo Gia
    Danielle Fishell (the Dish): "If the Super-Star thing doesn't work out, Gia makes a great stripper name"

  13. #13
    Star_bare_elegance
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    Default Re: A small measure of justice?

    I have had plenty of accidents but none of them have endangered or taken the lives of myself or anyone else. My neighbor was sentanced 10 years for sending weed in the mail he is 18 years old. Certain people get off easy certain people don't in this case IMO they should get way more years in jail than my young and dumb neighbor. 100 People burned and who knows what else to death after watching some crappy band light the club on fire. I don't agree it was just a accident it was pure negligence and stupidity.

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