Owner Of Nightclub Where GREAT WHITE Fire Occurred Is Eligible For Parole
January 8, 2008, 16 years ago
According to Eric Tucker from the Associated Press, relatives of some of the 100 people killed in a nightclub fire angrily oppose the possible parole of one of the club's former owners, saying they are not convinced he has shown genuine remorse for the disaster.
Many plan to speak at Wednesday's parole hearing for Michael Derderian, who is eligible for release after serving about 16 months of his four-year prison sentence for the February 2003 fire at The Station nightclub, which began when a pyrotechnics display for the rock band GREAT WHITE ignited highly flammable soundproofing foam around the stage. Eight of the victims lived or worked in Connecticut.
"I think the only pain I see in Michael is pain for Michael," said Chris Fontaine, whose son Mark, 22, died in the fire.
Derderian has been imprisoned since September 2006 when he and his brother and co-owner, Jeffrey, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges. Jeffrey Derderian was sentenced to community service and probation but spared jail time.
Daniel Biechele, who as tour manager for Great White set off the pyrotechnics, was granted parole in September from his four-year sentence and is scheduled to be released in two months.
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