Former GREAT WHITE Tour Manager To Be Sentenced In Fatal Fire

May 10, 2006

The Associated Press is reporting that a judge is expected to decide Wednesday (May 10) whether former GREAT WHITE tour manager Daniel Biechele — who started the 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people — should go to prison. [Watch today's sentencing hearing, going on now, courtesy of WPRI.com at this location.]

Biechele, 29, was the tour manager for GREAT WHITE the night of Feb. 20, 2003, when he lit a pyrotechnics display that ignited flammable foam lining the walls and ceiling of The Station nightclub in West Warwick, about 13 miles south of Providence.

Flames and toxic smoke quickly engulfed the club, and many of those who died were either overcome by the fumes or were unable to make their way through a logjam of fellow concertgoers who converged on the front door.

Biechele's lawyers have asked for Superior Court Judge Francis Darigan Jr. to show mercy and sentence Biechele to community service.

His attorneys say he is the only person to take responsibility for the fire and is truly remorseful, having written letters of apology to the victims' families that will be given to them after his sentencing.

Prosecutors have asked for the maximum sentence allowed under the deal they struck with Biechele in February when he pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter — 10 years to serve in prison.

Both sides will be allowed to address the judge Wednesday, and Biechele will get a chance to make a statement if he chooses.

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