Providence, R.I. – The former tour manager for the rock group Great White pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday for setting off the pyrotechnics that caused one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.
Under a plea bargain, Daniel Biechele, 29, will serve no more than 10 years in prison.
The Feb. 20, 2003, blaze killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others.
Biechele set off a pyrotechnics display during a concert at a West Warwick club called The Station. The sparks ignited flammable soundproofing foam inside the club, and flames quickly enveloped the one-story wooden building and trapped concertgoers.
Biechele pleaded guilty to 100 counts that accused him of lighting the pyrotechnics without the required permit, resulting in the deaths.
The brothers who owned the nightclub, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, were also indicted in 2003 on charges of involuntary manslaughter. They were accused of installing the foam and have pleaded not guilty.
Biechele has maintained he had permission to use the pyrotechnics, and prosecutors said Tuesday that he got permission from Michael Derderian. The brothers insist they never gave him permission. Attorney General Patrick Lynch said Biechele could testify against the Derderians.
