Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

« ME cites 'acute intoxication' in immigrant's death | Today | Cicilline resigns as co-chair of Clinton's R.I. campaign »

September 19, 2007

ALERT: Biechele to be released in March

CRANSTON -- The state Parole Board today decided to release Daniel M. Biechele in March 2008, when the former tour manager of rock band Great White will have served less than half his four-year prison sentence for triggering fireworks that ignited The Station nightclub fire and killed 100 people.

It was Biechele's first try for parole.

The Parole Board hearing, held at the state prison where Biechele has been jailed, was closed to the public. Parole officials were slated to notfiy relatives of fire victims of the outcome. At about 3:30 p.m., officials were to hold a news conference.

Biechele, 30, pleaded guilty last year to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 20, 2003, blaze in West Warwick that became one of the nation's worst nightclub fires. The fireworks sent sparks onto club surfaces lined with highly flammable polyurethane foam used as soundproofing.

Dave Kane, the father of Nick O’Neil, the youngest person to die in the fire, said the board made "a good decision."

“I think it’s time now that this young man be given a chance to get back to his life,” O'Neil said. “It would have been OK with me if he had gotten out before March.”

O'Neil said Biechele "is the only guy who stood up and said, 'Here’s what I did, I’m sorry, I’ll take my punishment.' "

-- With reports from Journal staff writers Mark Arsenault and Paul Edward Parker.

The brothers who owned the nightclub, Michael A. and Jeffrey A. Derderian, pleaded no contest to 100 counts each of involuntary manslaughter for fire-code violations that helped the fire spread. Michael, 46, was sentenced to serve four years in prison. Jeffrey, 40, was sentenced to 500 hours community service. Michael Derderian is not yet eligible for parole because his sentence started about four months after Biechele's.

After Biechele's sentencing on May 10, 2006, relatives of victims offered a mix of views on Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan's punishment.

Some said Biechele seemed genuine in his remorse to families and survivors, that he did not deserve the blame to the extent that others did and that it was not his intention for people to die.

Others, such as the parents of victim Diane Matteras-Housa, who had spoken out about the fire before, criticized the sentence as not enough, given they they can never get back the loved ones killed in the fire.

Diane Mattera, whose daughter Tammy Mattera-Housa died in the Station fire, said it's "very hard right now."

"What kind of message does it send?" Mattera said of the Parole Board decision. “I think it’s not right” and “II think he should be spending the full term.”

She added: “It was such a big let down" and "I was very disappointed and upset, but deep down I knew he would be getting parole.”

"There is such a hole -- that's a void you can't fill," said Mattera.

But an informal survey of projo.com visitorshas found most respondents saying Biechele should be given parole now.

His sentencing had followed days of victims' impact statements in court. Excerpts are available , as well as multimedia coverage of the fire, its victim, and its aftermath, at:
http://projo.com/stationfire

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:34 PM | Permalink

Comments

I'm glad that he his getting out, but does he really need to stay there until March 08? Whats the reasoning behind that? He took responsiblity for his actions and paid the price. Some may not think it enough, but he was a mere scapegoat for others who should have been prosecuted. Let him out sooner is what I say.

Dee | September 19, 2007 4:15 PM link

I think the decision to parole Biechele's was a good one. He seems genuinely remourseful, accepted his role in the fire, and resulting punishment. He is not a dangerous, violent criminal but rather a man who was negligent and subsequently learned a major lesson for himself and countless others who are in his line of work. Unfortunately, the lesson came with the highest of price tags.

Brenda | September 19, 2007 4:52 PM link

First, I am sorry to all of those who lost a loved one in that fire.

Mr. Biechele is the only one from this whole tragedy who had any remorse, who said he was sorry, who took responsibility for this accident. The parole board made an excellent decision by granting parole today.

Anonymous | September 19, 2007 7:57 PM link

I'm so glad to to see Dan out of jail. He deserves anither chance.

alyssa rose | September 19, 2007 11:25 PM link

I'm sorry that he has to wait until March. That serves no useful purpose.

Your link to the survey does not work.

janet | September 20, 2007 1:20 AM link

I'm all for parole. Why should he be nailed to a cross while others skated!

Mike | September 20, 2007 5:39 AM link

Time to heal, time to move on...the only way one can do this is by letting go. There is horrible pain for everyone involved, but the time has come to move on with life. This will not go away for the managers, it will follow them for the rest of their lives, but to keep someone in prison when it was not intentional is not right either.

jake | September 20, 2007 6:43 AM link

September 19, 2007

ALERT: Biechele to be released in March

Comments

Post a comment