GREAT WHITE Members Ordered As Witnesses In Nightclub Fire Trial

The Associated Press has issued the following report:

Two members of the Los Angeles-based rock band GREAT WHITE have been subpoenaed as witnesses in the criminal trial of Michael Derderian, the club owner charged with involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of 100 people during a 2003 fire started by the band's pyrotechnics.

Derderian's trial on 200 counts of manslaughter — two counts for each death under separate legal theories — is scheduled to begin July 31. His brother, Jeffrey Derderian, co-owner of The Station nightclub, is also charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter. His trial date has not been set.

The Feb. 20, 2003, fire began as pyrotechnics were ignited at the start of GREAT WHITE's set. It ripped through the packed club, spread by flammable foam that lined the club's walls and ceiling and quickly filled the building with toxic smoke.

In court papers filed last week, prosecutors said they would call David Filice, GREAT WHITE's bass player, and Eric Powers, the band's drummer, as material witnesses to testify at the trial.

The filings say the men witnessed the fire and were familiar with the placement of foam in the club.

It's not clear whether lead singer Jack Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall will be asked to testify. Michael Healey, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.

Filice and Powers testified before the grand jury that indicted the Derderians and the band's former tour manager, Daniel Biechele.

Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts of manslaughter and was sentenced earlier this month to serve four years in prison. Biechele is expected to testify at the trial.