Digital Extra: The Station Fire

11:06 AM EDT on Thursday, May 13, 2004

projo.com staff

PROVIDENCE -- Four family members of The Station nightclub fire victims protested outside the Rhode Island Attorney General's office this morning, calling for more indictments for the tragic fire.

The protestors are angry that a grand jury investigation into the Feb. 20, 2003, fire, which killed 100 and injured another 200, resulted in indictments against just three people: club owners Michael Derderian and Jeffrey Derderian, and Great White band tour manager Daniel Biechele, who set off the indoor fireworks that ignited the fire.

Each of them was charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Protestors today were upset that the grand jury investigation, led by Attorney General Patrick Lynch, did not result in charges against town code inspectors. They claimed that the law unfairly shields public officials from accountability.

"The key is accountability," said Eileen DiBonaventura, who lost her son Albert, 18. "We don't feel like anyone should be above the law."

The protestors called on Lynch to start another grand jury investigation or for U.S. Attorney Craig Moore to conduct his own investigation.

Lynch issued a statement this morning, saying he respects the protestors' constitutional right to demonstrate.

"I offered them a chance to meet with our Station fire prosecutorial team yesterday, but none of the demonstrators

appeared for that meeting," Lynch said. "I offered them a chance to meet with me, personally, this morning, but they declined, stating that they are here today to demonstrate. I respect their wishes."

Lynch indicated that his office would not reconvene a grand jury unless there is new evidence.

He said his office would continue to prosecute the indictments returned in December against the Derderians and Biechele to the best of its ability.

"To do less would ill serve the memories of the victims of this unspeakable tragedy," Lynch said.

The protestors say they plan to return on a regular basis.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Michael Corkery.