stuff".) Prosecutors were hesitant to charge Alig with first-degree murder, as they still hoped he would testify against his former boss, Gatien, who had been arrested for allowing drugs to be sold in his nightclubs. They eventually offered both Alig and Riggs a plea deal: a sentence of 10 to 20 years if they accepted the lesser charge of manslaughter. On October 1, 1997, both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 to 20 years. (American Justice reports they pleaded guilty and were sentenced on September 10, 1997.) Because of their convictions, Alig and Riggs were not used as prosecution witnesses in Gatien's trial. Convictions, prison, and aftermath On October 1, 1997, Alig and Riggs were sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison for Melendez's killing, after each pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter. Riggs was released on parole in 2010, Alig on May 5, 2014. On December 24, 2020, Alig died of a drug overdose at the age of 54. In popular culture Book James St. James's book, Disco Bloodbath: A Fabulous but True Tale of Murder in Clubland (1999), is about Melendez's murder. It was reprinted with the title Party Monster after the release of the eponymous 2003 film. Films There are two films based on Melendez's murder and the events which followed: The documentary film Party Monster: The Shockumentary (1998), based on the events leading up to and surrounding the Melendez's murder. The subsequent feature film Party Monster (2003), which stars Wilson Cruz as Melendez The documentary film Glory Daze(2015) reviews the creation, rise, and dispersion of the Club Kids phenomenon after Melendez's murder. Music Melendez's friend Screamin' Rachael wrote the song "Give Me My Freedom/Murder in Clubland." The lyrics to a backward loop in the song include such lines as "Michael, where's Angel?", and "Did someone just cry wolf, or is he dead?" Television Melendez's murder case has also been featured in multiple TV series, such as: American Justice: "Dancing, Drugs, and Murder" (2000) on A&E Deadly Devotion: "Becoming Angel" (July 16, 2013) on Investigation Discovery NotoriousThe 1990s: The Deadliest Decade: “Death of an Angel” (Season 1, Episode 3) (Aired: November 19, 2018) on Investigation Discovery TheatreClubland: The Monster Pop Party (2013), a musical adaptation of St. James' book Party Monster'' and its 2003 eponymous film adaptation, debuted April 11, 2013 at the American Repertory Theater's Club Oberon, with book, music, and lyrics by