The judge in the Rhode Island nightclub fire criminal case blamed the leak of details about the club owner's change of plea on the state's attorney general Thursday.
Michael and Jeffrey Derderian will plead no contest to 100 counts of manslaughter in connection with the fire at The Station.
Judge Francis Darigan said that the release of information about the plea was premature. He blamed it on Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch, calling the move "despicable."
Darigan also criticized a letter that Lynch wrote to the victims' families, saying it was "devoid of any consideration for the victims of this tragedy." In the letter, Lynch said that he was opposed to the terms of the no contest plea deal.
Under the plea, Jeffrey Derderian will not spend any time behind bars, and his brother, Michael, will spend four years in jail followed by three years probation. The Derderian's lawyer said it was Lynch's office that proposed the terms of the plea deal.
"That's their agreement. I think that agreement is objectionable. I think it's wrong, and I will state that to the court at length," Lynch said.
One hundred peopled died and about 200 others were injured in the blaze on Feb. 20, 2003, which began when a pyrotechnics display ignited flammable foam lining the club's walls. Earlier in the day, family and friends of the victims reacted with anger to the plea deal.
"I have reviewed the testimony of hundreds of potential witnesses, and I have viewed photographic and videotape evidence of a most vivid and disturbing nature. I am sure that this evidence would only serve to further traumatize and victimize, not only the loved ones of the deceased and the survivors of this fire, but the general public, as well," Darigan said.
"All I keep thinking is that they are getting away with murder. I mean, I am one of the survivors, and I am lucky to be alive, but I live with pain and post-traumatic stress every single day of my life, and it hasn't got any better," said Sharon Wilson, who was injured in the fire.
Wilson was at the club the night of the fire. She suffered a serious back injury and burns as she was dragged out of the building. Two of her friends were killed.
"I think it's unfair because I am in pain every day because of this severe back injury that I incurred during the (fire), and for one of them to be walking around and serving no time whatsoever -- it's very painful," Wilson said.
Wilson said that her focus remains on those affected by the deadly fire.
"I think that he should have at least got something. I dont care if it's money to pay for the families who have children out there. Something should be done," she said.
"It's like they are getting off Scott-free, and I don't think it's right. They should be held accountable for their actions," said Jackie McKenna, who lost two friends in the fire. "I'm not angry. I am upset. I wish that there would be more people to stand up for the people that we lost. It seems like they are being forgotten."
"My opinion is that if they wouldn't find 12 impartial jurors in the state of Rhode Island, move the trial to Massachusetts. Move it to Connecticut," said Al Otis, who lost three friends in the fire.
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