The Gulliver's nightclub fire in 1974 was not only a tragic event but also led to complex legal proceedings that unfolded over several years. The fire, caused by arson to cover up a burglary, resulted in the deaths of 24 patrons and injuries to 32 others. The legal aftermath involved criminal charges against the perpetrator, Peter J. Leonard, as well as civil lawsuits against the municipalities involved.
Criminal Proceedings Against Peter J. Leonard
Peter J. Leonard, a 22-year-old unemployed laborer
from Greenwich, was arrested on July 12, 1974, for setting the fire. He had entered the bowling alley through a rooftop skylight with the intention of burglarizing the business. Once it was determined that the fire was set in New York, Leonard was extradited from Connecticut to New York.
Leonard was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury on 28 counts, including 24 murder charges, arson, burglary, and petit larceny. The theory was that Leonard had burglarized cigarette vending machines and set the fire to cover up the crime. He pleaded guilty just before his trial was due to start but later attempted to withdraw his plea. The judge refused and sentenced him to 15 years to life imprisonment.
Appeals and Overturned Verdicts
The legal process did not end with Leonard's sentencing. On July 19, 1977, the guilty verdict for murder was overturned by the Appellate Court, which found that Leonard's confession had been coerced. Leonard was then convicted by a jury on all 28 counts in September 1978, but this verdict was overturned in December 1985 due to self-incriminating statements made without a lawyer present.
In March 1986, prosecutors allowed Leonard to plead guilty to second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 15 years, and under New York law, inmates with good records were released after serving two-thirds of their sentence, allowing Leonard to qualify for release soon afterward.
Civil Lawsuits and Municipal Responsibility
The fire also led to civil lawsuits against the municipalities involved. The first civil lawsuit began on July 5, 1974, when a lawyer representing the husband of one of the victims filed a $2 million suit. By July 8, nine families had retained counsel for possible lawsuits.
On July 9, an attorney representing six families filed a notice of claim for $12 million with the Village of Port Chester, contending that Port Chester was negligent in failing to make proper inspections of the restaurant and bowling alley. Despite the bowling alley being mostly in Connecticut, the attorney argued that its proximity to the restaurant made it Port Chester's responsibility.
Greenwich was also served with a notice of claim for $16 million on behalf of eight victims. These legal proceedings highlighted the complexities of jurisdiction and responsibility in cases involving properties spanning state lines.
