WARWICK R.I. -- A grand jury investigation into
last week's deadly nightclub fire has begun in Rhode Island.
Sources say lawyers for the band Great White met with
prosecutors Wednesday -- but that nobody actually testified. The
sources say band members are expected to be back before the panel
Thursday.
Great White was on stage when its pyrotechnic display sparked
the deadly fire. The band says it had permission from the club's
owners to use the display. The owners say no permission was given.
Meanwhile, it's been revealed the two brothers who owned the club
were in the process of selling it when the fire happened.
Man Accused Of Filing False Report
A man was arraigned Wednesday on charges of filing a false missing persons report in connection with the nightclub fire in West Warwick.
Jeremy Howell, of West Warwick, allegedly made up the name of a girlfriend and claimed she'd been missing since the fire.
Howell was arraigned in Kent County District Court on four misdemeanor counts.
State police said Howell went to the Crowne Plaza Hotel Friday afternoon to report that his girlfriend went to see the concert at The Station nightclub the night before and was missing.
Police said Howell identified the missing woman as 24-year-old Jessica Simpson, of North Kingstown, R.I.
The Red Cross provided Howell with a cell phone, food and a room for the night at the hotel. The thought was that his girlfriend was a victim in the fire.
The Crowne Plaza has been a resource center for families of the victims since the tragedy.
McGee reported state police and West Warwick police became suspicious Tuesday when Howell did not return the cell phone that was lent to him. Investigators questioned Howell and determined he filed a false report.
Howell pleaded guilty to the charges, which Judge Jeanne LaFazia rejected. She entered a not guilty plea.
LaFazia told Howell she wants him to speak to an attorney and have a mental competency test. She also told Howell that he is facing jail time.
LaFazia had some harsh words for Howell, saying that if the allegations prove true, he has wasted important time and effort on the behalf of investigators. And she also said he took away resources from victims who were suffering real losses.
The judge set bail at $4,000 cash.
Copyright 2003 by ThePittsburghChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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