By: The Providence Journal on Monday requested access to copies of the questionnaire forms being used in the criminal trial of the owner of a nightclub where a 2003 fire killed 100 people.
Eight of those who died lived or worked in Connecticut.
The jury selection process began last week in the trial of Michael Derderian as more than 400 prospective jurors filled out detailed questionnaires.
Lawyers will use the questionnaire responses to trim the jury pool. The judge handling the case has refused to make the questionnaire forms public.
In a petition, the Journal asked for copies of the blank questionnaire forms as well as copies of the answers that the prospective jurors provided.
It also asked for access to the verbal questioning of individual jurors expected to take place in court later this month. Superior Court Judge Francis Darigan has no intention of closing that process _ known as voir dire _ to the public, said Craig Berke, a spokesman for the state judiciary.
Derderian owned The Station nightclub in West Warwick along with his brother, Jeffrey. Both men face 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the Feb. 20, 2003 fire at the club, which was sparked by a rock band's pyrotechnics. No trial date has been set for Jeffrey Derderian.
No date has been set for a hearing on the newspaper's petition.
Opening statements are not expected in Michael Derderian's trial until early next month.
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