GUILTY CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3

[Jax49]

"A judge Friday rejected a plea deal in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire case.
The case will now go to trial."

Judge Rejects Plea Deal in Ghost Ship Warehouse Case

Yes! Thank you for posting this.

 

[Niner]

Well, that definitely is a surprise!! I too thought it was a "done deal". Good to know the Judge rejected their plea deal - especially Almena's!

So, now all I need is the next court date!

TIA! Can't find anything in the Alameda County court stuff....

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

There is something very wrong with Almena, like he lacks a conscience. I'm glad the judge saw through it. And his attorney ... sounds like an idiot. He's not necessarily helping Almena with his statements, but I'm not complaining about that.

bbb

Judge tosses plea deal over Ghost Ship fire that killed 36, case may go to trial

Almena teared up in his statement to families, but it did not win over the judge or families.

"I'm guilty for believing we were safe," Almena told the families in attendance Friday. "I should have died that night. It would have been an honor saving your children's souls."
...

The duo could now face life in prison in a jury trial. They could also negotiate new, separate plea deals.

"You see the victims' families are very adamant and I empathize with their perspective, even though I think it's a little bit irrational, but they want 36 years," Tony Serra, the lawyer for Almena and Harris, told KGO.

Harris and Almena are due in court again on Aug. 17.



​

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...e&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=breakingnow

Civil suit by families of Ghost Ship victims could bring damages, reforms

The case against two men accused of involuntary manslaughter in the Oakland Ghost Ship fire reached its end stage Tuesday with a pair of criminal convictions, but the more complex and costly litigation that will determine who can be held accountable for the deadliest fire in city history is nowhere close to resolution.

The lawsuit filed by families of the victims contends that Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the warehouse landlord, the city of Oakland and numerous other entities also bear responsibility for the inferno that killed 36 people during an electronic music party held at the artist collective on Dec. 2, 2016.

A victory for the plaintiffs could mean not only monetary damages for families, but also changes to city policies — including how its inspectors handle live-work spaces — and even a memorial commemorating the victims of the tragedy.


​

 

[borndem]

I'm still smiling.

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

So they could end up working out another plea deal?

Serra says these things, but he's not Harris' attorney. (Of course.) He's defending Almena.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea...ip-Case-Back-To-Square-One-After-13148569.php

Update: Ghost Ship Case Back To Square One After Deal Is Rejected

[The Judge] ordered the parties in the case to return to court next Friday, at which time another possible plea agreement could be discussed or a trial date could be set.
...

[Almena's lawyer Tony] Serra said it's possible a plea agreement could still be reached before the case goes to trial but said Almena wouldn't accept a deal that called for him to serve much more than the 9-year term that was included in the July 3 agreement.
...

Serra said another possibility is that Harris, who he admitted played a lesser role in the fire, could negotiate a plea agreement on his own and Almena would then stand trial by himself.

But Serra said he wouldn't mind such a scenario, because he thinks Almena would have a better chance of being acquitted under that scenario.

He said that's because he thinks juries like to compromise, and he believes if Almena and Harris stood trial together, a jury might acquit Harris but convict Almena in the spirit of compromise.

Serra said if the case goes to trial, he won't be available until sometime next year because he's already committed to other cases this fall.
​

 

[Lilibet]

So, according to his attorney, Serra, Almena isn’t willing to accept a deal calling for him to serve much more than the 9 ...ahem, actually about a 3 year....term of the previous agreement. He knew when he made the deal that it wouldn’t end up being nine years. Apparently, that’s all he’s “willing” to serve. I suspect his arrogance is going to get him a much longer sentence at trial. Here’s hoping.

 

[borndem]

Hmmmm, you know, I can't remember a single trial that I have watched -- and I have watched a good many -- when the judge pronounced a sentence and then asked the convicted person, "Sir, is that sentence acceptable to you?"
What an uncaring, selfish axx he is. The worst.

 

[Jax49]

So, according to his attorney, Serra, Almena isn’t willing to accept a deal calling for him to serve much more than the 9 ...ahem, actually about a 3 year....term of the previous agreement. He knew when he made the deal that it wouldn’t end up being nine years. Apparently, that’s all he’s “willing” to serve. I suspect his arrogance is going to get him a much longer sentence at trial. Here’s hoping.

bbm

I hope so but there have been so many crazy jury verdicts over the years...

moo

 

[tezi]

Here is some of what Almena said to the families:

On Friday, Almena addressed the families, telling them he wished he had never been born.

“(Your children) were the best our society had to offer,” Almena said. “I wish I wasn’t born. I am in hell, OK?”

Almena, who leased the warehouse from the property owner and allowed it to be used for an electronic music party on Dec. 2, 2016, said he wished he could have been there that night to sacrifice himself and try to save others.

“If I could give each of you my life — and my children’s lives — I would,” the father of three said.

But when he offered to have his body tattooed with flames and the faces of the victims, some families in the gallery recoiled.

Judge in Ghost Ship case throws out plea deal in stunning decision

RBBM. This guy just doesn't get it does he? I can't believe he would be so callous.

 

[borndem]

RBBM. This guy just doesn't get it does he? I can't believe he would be so callous.

Agreed -- he's a narcissistic sociopath, and a criminal who cares only for himself. But you're right -- those words he used -- those sentences he recited -- where in the world did they come from? I hope he gets life or close to it. Callous indifference, thy name is Almena.

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

“If I could give each of you my life — and my children’s lives — I would,” the father of three said.

But when he offered to have his body tattooed with flames and the faces of the victims, some families in the gallery recoiled.

Judge in Ghost Ship case throws out plea deal in stunning decision

rs/bff

Like, literally, WTFudge is that man thinking?

One, that murdering his own innocent, guiltless, blameless children is somehow a reasonable way for him to pay retribution to the families of the people he killed? Why would anyone even consider suggesting that, for any reason?

Two, the man who is guilty of killing these people’s friends and family members suggested tattooing his own body with the hellish tableau of firey death, layered underneath the happy faces of the victims before they died ... it’s nauseatingly obscene. That had to be beyond offensive to the friends and family when they heard him say that. No, he’s covering his body with an “artistic rendering” trophy of his crimes.

Something’s definitely wrong with this guy. Borderline personality disorder of some sort. (I’m no shrink, obviously.)

Clearly, the lives of others mean nothing to him. It’s really disturbing. There’s no attrition, no acceptance of his role in the crime, no empathy, no real apology.

He’s trying to elicit some level of sympathy for himself as a martyr and not at all understanding the perspective of those families.

Yep, the judge 100% made the right decision.

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

@gitana1, we’re all thinking about you. There’s renewed hope you’ll find some justice. I’m sorry you have to deal with all this. ((((hugs))))

 

[CARIIS]

I'm still smiling.

me too

i never knew this could happen !

have any of you ever heard of a judge doing this

ha ha you thought you were only doing a little bit

ha ha ha

surprise

ha ha again

 

[CARIIS]

So, according to his attorney, Serra, Almena isn’t willing to accept a deal calling for him to serve much more than the 9 ...ahem, actually about a 3 year....term of the previous agreement. He knew when he made the deal that it wouldn’t end up being nine years. Apparently, that’s all he’s “willing” to serve. I suspect his arrogance is going to get him a much longer sentence at trial. Here’s hoping.

excuse me @@@@

that is not how this works you moron

the lawyer saying it is offensive

jeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[CARIIS]

rs/bff

Like, literally, WTFudge is that man thinking?

One, that murdering his own innocent, guiltless, blameless children is somehow a reasonable way for him to pay retribution to the families of the people he killed? Why would anyone even consider suggesting that, for any reason?

Two, the man who is guilty of killing these people’s friends and family members suggested tattooing his own body with the hellish tableau of firey death, layered underneath the happy faces of the victims before they died ... it’s nauseatingly obscene. That had to be beyond offensive to the friends and family when they heard him say that. No, he’s covering his body with an “artistic rendering” trophy of his crimes.

Something’s definitely wrong with this guy. Borderline personality disorder of some sort. (I’m no shrink, obviously.)

Clearly, the lives of others mean nothing to him. It’s really disturbing. There’s no attrition, no acceptance of his role in the crime, no empathy, no real apology.

He’s trying to elicit some level of sympathy for himself as a martyr and not at all understanding the perspective of those families.

Yep, the judge 100% made the right decision.

man that is twisted --

you really think a family member wants their murdered victim ON your body

truly creepy

feel a bit like hurling

 

[DexterMorgan]

me too

i never knew this could happen !

have any of you ever heard of a judge doing this

ha ha you thought you were only doing a little bit

ha ha ha

surprise

ha ha again

The court doesn't have to accept a plea. They can definitely deny it anytime before the allocution begins. Thats where a person freely admits their guilt in open court.

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

man that is twisted --

you really think a family member wants their murdered victim ON your body

truly creepy

feel a bit like hurling

Don’t spew on your keyboard. We need you, @CARIIS !

 

[MsMarple]

It will go to trial unless another plea deal can be reached, according to this article. It sounds to me that the judge is rejecting the plea deal for Almena, but not Harris. However, they are tied together, so the deal for both is rejected. Harris definitely sounded sincerely sorry IMO, so he may be able to separate himself from Almena and make his own deal.

Quoting portions of the article:

Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer’s ruling also dissolves the plea agreement the district attorney’s office made with co-defendant Max Harris because the deals were made as a package. The move paves the way for a jury trial for Almena and Harris, unless a new deal can be reached.

“I am expressly rejecting the plea bargain as to Mr. Almena,” Cramer said
<snip>

“Rejecting one automatically rejects the other,” said Deputy District Attorney David Lim. “One can’t take the deal if the other doesn’t take the deal.”

In reaching his decision, which Cramer said he has wrestled with for days, the judge reviewed a lengthy essay that Almena had submitted recently to a probation officer. In it, Almena blamed others for the fire and called himself a victim. That thinking, Cramer said, indicates that Almena has not yet fully acknowledged his responsibility for the tragedy.

Judge in Ghost Ship case throws out plea deal in stunning decision
BBM

From your quote:
"In reaching his decision, which Cramer said he has wrestled with for days, the judge reviewed a lengthy essay that Almena had submitted recently to a probation officer. In it, Almena blamed others for the fire and called himself a victim. That thinking, Cramer said, indicates that Almena has not yet fully acknowledged his responsibility for the tragedy."

Yes! Almena's own ego did him in. Yammer yammer yap yap poor me I'm a victim too and on and on since the day of the fire. He just had to tell the world his story. Well good, I'm glad he did. Thank you Judge Cramer!

Here's Almena's letter:
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4402789/Feb-2018-Statement-Almena.pdf

 

[MsMarple]

rs/bff

Like, literally, WTFudge is that man thinking?

One, that murdering his own innocent, guiltless, blameless children is somehow a reasonable way for him to pay retribution to the families of the people he killed? Why would anyone even consider suggesting that, for any reason?

Two, the man who is guilty of killing these people’s friends and family members suggested tattooing his own body with the hellish tableau of firey death, layered underneath the happy faces of the victims before they died ... it’s nauseatingly obscene. That had to be beyond offensive to the friends and family when they heard him say that. No, he’s covering his body with an “artistic rendering” trophy of his crimes.

Something’s definitely wrong with this guy. Borderline personality disorder of some sort. (I’m no shrink, obviously.)

Clearly, the lives of others mean nothing to him. It’s really disturbing. There’s no attrition, no acceptance of his role in the crime, no empathy, no real apology.

He’s trying to elicit some level of sympathy for himself as a martyr and not at all understanding the perspective of those families.

Yep, the judge 100% made the right decision.

Yes to everything you said! JMO but I think Almena is a sociopath. No empathy and is unable to "hear" himself when he makes statements like offering his children's lives or tattooing the victims' faces on his body. Inappropriate, creepy, macabre yet he's totally unfazed at his own remarks.

Almena says he has always been remorseful for the fire that took the lives of 36 people and that the judge took quotes from his written statement out of context.

"You know," he said, "If you take anything out of context you can twist it around and make it seem like it was about me. This statement was about everything. I have been remorseful on this since the moment this happened."

Almena also blasted city officials and he read from a statement, which he says the judge prevented him from reading during Friday's hearing.

"Of course you heard from our honorable Mayor Libby Schaaf," he said. "Her lies about the city having no knowledge of the Ghost Ship and her continued lies about government agencies having entered the warehouse."

Almena tells us he doesn't know what's next for him, but he feels the judge's decision means he won't be able to get a fair trial.

"No way," he said. "It's impossible to get a fair trial. They misquoted me. This has been orchestrated to the highest degree."

EXCLUSIVE: Ghost Ship founder blasts judge after deal rejected

Read the rest of the article for more Almena comments about the court's decision. One of my favorites: "So now I am guilty internationally," Almena said.