Emotional Pier 34 testimony ends in mistrial

By Lauren McGlone
Collegian Staff
November 15, 2006

Over six years ago, in May 2000, the collapse of Pier 34 into the Delaware River resulted in the deaths of three women and the injuries of dozens more. In the past month, Michael Asbell, owner of the pier, and Eli Karetny, nightclub manager, faced charges of conspiracy and risking a catastrophe for allowing the club to open despite shoddy building conditions.

The case has been debated for years, with the blame being tossed from owner and manager to the repairmen and engineers and back again. More than 70 witnesses took the stand over a five-week period in September and October.

Asbell, of Merion, Pa., and Karetny, of Cherry Hill, N.J., were accused of manslaughter and other related crimes. Asbell testified that if he and Karetney had known the danger of the imminent collapse, they would have “immediately closed the pier.”

He argued that he and the nightclub manager were misled on the building’s conditions by an engineering firm. According to Asbell, neither man was given a reason to worry about any dangers, nor were the contractors warned that the pier could possibly collapse. Both have maintained that they are also victims in this incident.

Prosecutors say Asbell and Karetny were greedy and well-informed of the safety violations and problems with the building. They claim that the two had plenty of professional warning that the pier was not up-to-code, but chose to do nothing.

When cross-examined and accused of being frugal at the expense of patrons’ safety, Asbell strongly emphasized that he did his share to maintain the upkeep of the pier.

Relatives of the victims have waited six years for a verdict in the case. Friends and family of Monica Rodriguez, Jean Marie Ferraro and DeAnn White, the three women who were killed when the pier collapsed, believe Asbell and Karetney are guilty in this case.

After an eight-week-long trial, the jury could not deliver a verdict. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, a mistrial was declared after dead-locked jurors debated whether or not Asbell and Karetny were criminally responsible for the incident.

Families of the victims were disappointed with the hung jury, and felt all of the evidence was enough to convict the two.

One juror spoke to the media, saying the jury was deadlocked due to the lack of written, documented proof that safety violations existed and that there were problems with the building, which ultimately resulted in the collapse.

With no verdict, Asbell and Karetny say this is not a time for celebration. They recognize that everyone has lost something or someone in this case.

Prosecutors plan to retry this case.

mcglonel1@lasalle.edu