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CHICAGO (AP) - A judge on Friday acquitted a business owner, manager and promoter accused of manslaughter in a 2003 nightclub stampede that killed 21 people. In his ruling, Cook County Judge Dennis Porter agreed with defense attorneys that prosecutors had failed to show the men played any role in causing the tragedy.
The February 2003 stampede at the E2 club started after someone used pepper spray to break up a dance-floor fight, sending people fleeing down narrow stairs to an exit, authorities said. The force of the bodies piling against the doors prevented them from being opened. More than 50 people were injured.
Acquitted of involuntary manslaughter were club owner Calvin Hollins Jr., his son and club manager Calvin Hollins III and party promoter Marco Flores. Another club owner, Dwain Kyles, is being tried separately and was not affected by Friday's decision, prosecution spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.
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