Emotions Rage In Club Blaze Hearing

A woman whose daughter was severely burned in a fire at a Rhode Island nightclub and then died months later described the experience as "a journey of hell" as a three-day sentencing hearing began for the former band manager whose pyrotechnics display sparked the blaze that killed 100 people.

Ann Gruttadauria said her 33-year-old daughter, Pamela, underwent 35 operations before infection began to take over two and a half months after the Feb. 20, 2003, blaze. Her family ultimately decided to take her off life support.

"How can you decide whether to keep your daughter alive or not? We knew she would not have a good life. She was totally destroyed," said Gruttadauria, one of dozens of victims' relatives slated to speak at the sentencing of Daniel Biechele.

Biechele, the former tour manager for the heavy metal band Great White, pleaded guilty in February to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Under a plea deal, he could get up to 10 years in prison., but first, he has to hear from the victims' families.

About 30 relatives of the victims planned to read statements in court Monday and Tuesday, and a representative from the attorney general's office planned to read prepared remarks from others.

Biechele, 29, also has a chance to address the court before Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan Jr. sentences him on Wednesday afternoon.

The judge opened Monday's hearing by cautioning those who planned to offer victim impact statements against making remarks about Biechele, and told them not to address Biechele directly. He said family members would not be allowed to display pictures of the victims during the hearing, as some did when Biechele pleaded guilty.

On the night of Feb. 20, 2003, as Great White launched into its first song at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Biechele ignited four small pyrotechnic devices near the stage. The 15-foot streams of sparks quickly ignited flammable foam that been put up as soundproofing, and the fire spread as people tried to push their way out through crowded doors.

Hundreds of fans had gathered to see the hard rock band that emerged from the 1980s Los Angeles metal scene with hits including "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Rock Me."

Brothers Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, who owned the club, also were charged with 200 counts each of involuntary manslaughter. They are accused of installing the flammable soundproofing foam in violation of the state fire code. They have pleaded not guilty.

Biechele pleaded guilty in February. The attorney general's office is seeking the maximum term under the plea deal, saying he acted callously and recklessly.

Biechele's lawyers are asking for community service rather than jail time, saying he never intended to harm anyone and could not have known about the foam on the club's walls.

Biechele has said he had used the pyrotechnics in previous Great White concerts and had permission from Michael Derderian to use them that night. The Derderians have said no such permission was ever given.

Though many victims' relatives were angered by Biechele's plea deal, others hold him less responsible than the club owners or fire inspectors who did not detect the flammable foam.

"It was stupid, what he did, but I know he didn't do it on purpose," said Richard Lapierre of Oxford, Mass., whose 29-year-old son, Keith, died in the blaze.

Michael Derderian's trial is scheduled to begin July 31. A trial date hasn't been set for his brother. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Biechele now lives in Florida and works at a flooring company while taking accounting classes at night, his lawyers said in a recent court filing. He has written personal letters of apology to the victims' families.