Nightclub fire victim’s dad wants fed meeting
Published: September 28, 2009
Updated: September 28, 2009
PROVIDENCE—The father of the youngest victim of a 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people said Monday that he has asked to meet with the new U.S. Attorney in Rhode Island, Peter Neronha, in hopes that he can persuade him to investigate the blaze.
Dave Kane’s 18-year-old son Nicholas O’Neill died in the Feb. 20, 2003 fire in West Warwick, which began when pyrotechnics used by the rock band Great White ignited foam that club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian had used as soundproofing.
Kane said he sent a letter to Neronha last week, asking him to look into the case. In 2006, the Derderians and Great White’s tour manager pleaded no contest to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter charges in state court.
Neronha has received a letter from Kane, said spokesman Tom Connell. But Connell wouldn’t discuss the letter.
Shortly after the fire, Kane met with previous U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente, but his office did not get involved in the case. Kane said he hoped Neronha’s office would at least open a preliminary investigation, and his goal is to change system to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future.
“It’s about seeing to it that something really gets done,“ he said. “I’m looking for another bite of this apple.“
Kane has long criticized state Attorney General Patrick Lynch’s handling of the case, alleging that the prosecution was tainted from the start by corruption and politics. He and others also have complained that the sentences were too light, and not enough people were charged.
Of the three who pleaded no contest in the case, Michael Derderian received the harshest sentence, serving less than three years in prison. The band’s tour manager, Daniel Biechele, served less than two years. Jeffrey Derderian avoided prison time.
A Lynch spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.
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Reader Reactions
It’s a horrible thing, but time heals. Let it alone. I lost both my parents and greived hard, and accepted it. Nobody gets over it if you keep rubbing salt in the wounds. Trying to go after someone just to make you feel better is like being that person you’re tyring to find.
Oh sure, Dora, blame the victim here.
It is not illegal for an 18 year old to go to a club, it’s just illegal for them to drink in a club. We don’t know (and it shouldn’t matter) if he was drinking or not.
The tragedy of this fire has almost been overshadowed by the bigger tragedy that occured after - the AG’s office, state police, WW police or whoever else did a shoddy job at making sure that charges were brought for the crimes that have been committed. One hundred human beings were killed and only about 5 years of prison was served, by just 2 people! Very sad indeed.
And why was this 18 year old kid in this club in the first place?
I hope Mr. Kane gets his day and that someone else will listen to him. I also agree with Mr. Kane and believe that there are others that should have been investigated. It was and always will be a terrible tragedy and nothing can ever change the outcome of that evening. I have always agreed with the comments from Mr. Kane. He deserves to have his questions answered and a thorough unbiased investigation should be conducted.
Mr. Kane I hope you get the chance to have your theories heard from an “outsider”! God Bless you and everyone who has been hurt in one way or another. Let the truth be told.
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