The former manager of the rock band Great White has changed his plea in the ongoing legal wranglings relating to the 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 music fans.
As previously reported, the deadly fire swept through the Station night club in West Warwick, Rhode Island in February 2003 after pyrotechnics were set off during Great White's set. The band's manager, Daniel Biechele, was accused of 200 counts of manslaughter for the use of the pyrotechnics - two for every fan killed, one for criminal negligence, the other for 'underlying offences' that led to the deaths.
The owners of the club, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, both faced the same charges. They were accused of allowing the pyrotechnics to be used, and of installing flammable soundproofing that made the fire so intense.
Biechele originally pleaded not-guilty on the grounds that he was given permission by the Derderian brothers to use the pyrotechnics. They denied that, going as far as to say they specifically denied permission.
This week Biechele changed his plea in a deal with prosecutors. He has now pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter as part of an agreement which says he will serve no longer than ten years in prison for his part in the fire. It is unclear as yet if that plea change affects the Derderian's case in any way.