PROVIDENCE, R.I.-
The owners of a nightclub where a 2003 fire killed 100 people will plead no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges, their lawyer said Wednesday.
Kathleen Hagerty said Jeffrey and Michael Derderian will enter the pleas more than 3 1/2 years after pyrotechnics ignited foam soundproofing as a band started playing at The Station nightclub.
Hagerty confirmed the pleas after WJAR-TV reported on a letter the Attorney General’s office wrote to families of those killed to announce the plea deal.
The letter said Michael Derderian will serve 4 years in a minimum security work release program. Jeffrey Derderian will receive a suspended sentence. Hagerty confirmed the terms.
The plea comes as jury selection was underway for Michael Derderian’s criminal trial.
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