Two men charged in a fire that killed 36 concertgoers at a Northern California warehouse more than two years ago were going on trial Tuesday after a judge rejected their plea agreement with prosecutors.
Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, California.
Alameda County prosecutor Casey Bates recounted for the jury a survivor's harrowing tale of mass panic and chaos as choking smoke, zero visibility and a raging fire engulfed the Ghost Ship, an Oakland warehouse illegally converted into a residence and entertainment venue.Bates said the survivor plans to testify that he lived by jumping through a second-story window while the majority of attendees couldn't find exits in time.
In his opening statement, Harris' attorney Curtis Briggs sought to distance his client from Almena and raised the possibility of arson as he tried to shift blame to others.Briggs said he will call three witnesses who will testify about seeing strangers near the spot where the fire started in the rear of the warehouse. He also downplayed Harris' title of"creative director," telling the jury his client was a hired hand with the responsibilities of a janitor.
Almena agreed to take responsibility in exchange for a nine-year sentence, and Harris agreed to a six-year term.
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