State turns over evidence to defense lawyers in nightclub fire case
(AP) -- Lawyers for those charged in connection with a nightclub fire that killed 100 people were given on Friday boxes of evidence the state has compiled as it prepares to prosecute their clients.
The evidence exchange is part of an ongoing sharing of materials in the criminal case against nightclub owners Jeffrey and Michael Derdieran and Daniel Biechele, the former tour manager of the band that was playing at The Station the night of the blaze.
Lawyers for the Derderians, Biechele and the state appeared in Superior Court Friday to receive the evidence, and discuss testing the state wants to perform on materials seized from the club.
Kathleen Hagerty, who represents Michael Derderian, also asked for attendance records for the grand jury that indicted the brothers and Biechele, and recordings of the brothersÔŅĹ appearance before the West Warwick Town Council.
The club was located in West Warwick .
Judge Francis Darigan granted both requests. It was not immediately clear when those items would be shared, or if West Warwick would fight the request.
The Derderians and Biechele face involuntary manslaughter charges for the Feb. 20, 2003 fire, which also injured more than 200 people. The blaze started after the bandÔŅĹs pyrotechnic display ignited highly flammable foam used around the stage as soundproofing.
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