Judge OKs Release Of Grand Jury Testimony In GREAT WHITE Nightclub Fire Case

December 21, 2006

The Associated Press reports:

A judge on Thursday approved the release of grand jury testimony in The Station nightclub fire case, granting the attorney general's request to provide the public with information about the investigation into the deadly blaze.

Though grand jury testimony is normally secret, Superior Court Presiding Justice Joseph Rodgers Jr. said that rule was not absolute and that "unique circumstances" merit its release.

The judge said traditional reasons for not disclosing grand jury testimony, such as intimidation of witnesses, did not apply in this case since the panel concluded its investigation more than three years ago and much information has already been made public.

The Feb. 20, 2003 fire at the West Warwick club killed 100 people and began when pyrotechnics ignited by the rock band GREAT WHITE during a concert set fire to flammable foam used as soundproofing around the stage.

A grand jury was convened within days of the fire to determine whether criminal charges were warranted. In December 2003, it indicted club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and former GREAT WHITE tour manager Daniel Biechele on 200 counts each of involuntary manslaughter.

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