Criminal Law Keyed to Kadish
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Commonwealth v. Welansky
ProfessorScott Caron
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Commonwealth v. Welansky
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Facts
the access to the Boston nightclub which was owned by Welansky (D) was limited, with just a main entrance door and few emergency exits which were either blocked or barred. The nightclub was structured in this way to prevent dinner patrons from leaving without paying. The night the fire broke dozens of patrons and employees were killed because the fire spread quickly and escape was difficult. Welansky (D) was charged to court where he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, but he appealed.
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