Operators of the Ghost Ship Warehouse and art collective will serve less than 10 years in prison.
On 2 December 2016, a fire broke out at an Oakland warehouse known as the Ghost Ship, killing 36 people. Leaseholder Derick Almena and creative director Max Harris were arrested in June last year and charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. On Tuesday (3 July), the two defendants pled no contest, making them guilty of all charges. They’ve now reached a plea deal of six to nine-year prison sentences.
According to The East Bay Times Almena, 48, will serve nine years of a 12-year sentence, with the rest being served on probation. Harris, 28, will serve the remainder of a six-year sentence. Both will serve their time at Alameda County jail. If they conduct good behaviour, they could serve as little as half of their sentences.
The lawsuit made a number of claims, such as the Ghost Ship having “cluttered interior, insufficient smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, exit signs and emergency lighting”, causing it to be a “death trap”. Prosecutors argued that the defendants were “criminally negligent” and caused the deaths of the people inside the art collective.
Families of the victims have been left disappointed with the decision, stating it’s “not enough”.
The fire began at 11.20pm during a 100% Silk Road showcase at the venue. Members of the public who attended the party on the second floor were not able to escape due to inadequate conditions. The fire became the site of one of the nation’s deadliest fires.