WARWICK, R.I. -- The owners of the nightclub where 100 people were killed in a fire last February were indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges Tuesday along with the tour manager for the heavy metal band whose pyrotechnics ignited the blaze.
The nightclub owners, Jeff and Michael Derderian, and the tour manager for the band Great White, Dan Biechele, were indicted by a grand jury and charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter -- two for each death.
They were arraigned Tuesday.
All three entered not guilty pleas Tuesday afternoon in a Warrick courtroom. The Derderians each posted $5,000 cash bail. Bond for Biechele was set at $10,000 in cash.
The indictments follow a 10-month grand jury investigation of the fire at The Station, which was started by pyrotechnics at a rock concert featuring Great White.
The fire, which also injured about 200 people, started after the pyrotechnics were set off, just seconds into the first song by Great White. The sparks set fire to flammable foam that had been placed around the stage as soundproofing and violated fire codes.
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch was meeting with victims' families and survivors, who will be the first to hear what the grand jury decided in its report. Hundreds of people have been invited to attend the meeting.
Mary Morin came to the meeting for her son, who perished in the blaze on Feb. 20. Ryan Morin was from Austin, Mass. He was 31 years old. Thirty-four of the victims were from Massachusetts.
"My son died a horrific death, and someone has to pay the price. The state of Rhode Island has not been forthcoming to any of the families. I've had one letter from the attorney general, have not heard anything from the state of Rhode Island," Mary Morin said
"I want to see Great White indicted. I truly do. A fine will not do it," Mary Morin said.
Fire survivor Donna Reis said her fiance died in the fire.
"I would like the word to get out to the public that all these people do need help still. The indictments, I am sure, will set some closure for some people, but what is most needed is financial aid," Reis said.
Lynch is expected to make his first public comments on the investigation at about 3:30 p.m. EST Tuesday.
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Club Owner, Tour Manager Indicted In R.I. Fire
