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Chicago Nightclub Stampede

Aired September 23, 2003 - 14:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Chicago, four nightclub operators charged in a deadly stampede entered their pleas in court today. The four men are blamed for a stampede in February that left 21 dead.
Our Chicago bureau chief Jeff Flock joining us now with details in all of this.

Hello, Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Miles. The pleas not guilty all along. These men have it was all just a terrible accident, that incident, the E2 nightclub that killed 21 people in February.

But today, prosecutors saying, no, it wasn't an accident, it was their fault. Pictures now of some of the men who have been indicted today, and the charge is involuntary manslaughter. They include 42- year-old Dwayne Kyles. He is the owner of the club, his father, confidante of Martin Luther King Jr; 54-year-old Calvin Hollins Jr., a partner, 29-year-old Calvin Hollins III, believed to be a manager at the club, and 32-year-old Marco Flores. He was the promoter of the party that took place at the nightclub when this all ensued.

Taking it back to that day, February 17th, 2003, what happened was there was apparently a fight, someone sprayed pepper spray inside the club, panic ensued, a lot of people tried to get down a very steep staircase, bodies began piling up on that staircase. It was an incredible scene, where people couldn't get out, and were crushing one on top of another. Some people crushed to death, other people asphyxiated. So there you have it. Now these four men charged. There will also be of course civil suits that will come.

I think we also have some pictures from inside the club. Investigators had been combing it. There were some also allegations that perhaps this club did not have a valid license to operate. The city of Chicago may even be ultimately sued in connection with this. But for now, these four men facing criminal charges, involuntary manslaughter, which carries of up to probation or up to five years in prison.

We'll watch it, Miles. Back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right, and the club was over capacity, right?

FLOCK: That is what prosecutors are alleging and what city officials are alleging.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jeff Flock in Chicago, thank you. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired September 23, 2003 - 14:17   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Chicago, four nightclub operators charged in a deadly stampede entered their pleas in court today. The four men are blamed for a stampede in February that left 21 dead.
Our Chicago bureau chief Jeff Flock joining us now with details in all of this.

Hello, Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Miles. The pleas not guilty all along. These men have it was all just a terrible accident, that incident, the E2 nightclub that killed 21 people in February.

But today, prosecutors saying, no, it wasn't an accident, it was their fault. Pictures now of some of the men who have been indicted today, and the charge is involuntary manslaughter. They include 42- year-old Dwayne Kyles. He is the owner of the club, his father, confidante of Martin Luther King Jr; 54-year-old Calvin Hollins Jr., a partner, 29-year-old Calvin Hollins III, believed to be a manager at the club, and 32-year-old Marco Flores. He was the promoter of the party that took place at the nightclub when this all ensued.

Taking it back to that day, February 17th, 2003, what happened was there was apparently a fight, someone sprayed pepper spray inside the club, panic ensued, a lot of people tried to get down a very steep staircase, bodies began piling up on that staircase. It was an incredible scene, where people couldn't get out, and were crushing one on top of another. Some people crushed to death, other people asphyxiated. So there you have it. Now these four men charged. There will also be of course civil suits that will come.

I think we also have some pictures from inside the club. Investigators had been combing it. There were some also allegations that perhaps this club did not have a valid license to operate. The city of Chicago may even be ultimately sued in connection with this. But for now, these four men facing criminal charges, involuntary manslaughter, which carries of up to probation or up to five years in prison.

We'll watch it, Miles. Back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right, and the club was over capacity, right?

FLOCK: That is what prosecutors are alleging and what city officials are alleging.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jeff Flock in Chicago, thank you. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com