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

[MsMarple]

And to add... Max Harris claiming the GS wasn't a tinderbox at the time of the fire is not only a lie but his statement is laughable. Here's a report from the day after the fire in 2016. A man who had been in the GS about a year earlier was interviewed and he talked about the clutter:
Understanding What Was Inside Oakland Warehouse

Further evidence of Harris' lies comes from the final report of the fire. Harris was interviewed (pg. 9):

On December 7, 2016, investigators interviewed Max Harris. Harris resided at 1315 31st Avenue in Oakland, CA for over two years. Harris stated he was kind of seen as the “creative director” for the tenants. Harris stated he would collect rents and handle any disagreements between tenants. Harris also stated if something didn’t work, he would be the person the tenants came to for help. Harris stated they didn’t allow smoking, candles, incense, or space heaters in the warehouse. Harris stated they did have electrical problems and had complained to the landlord about the issue. Harris stated the warehouse was supplied electricity from the body shop next door so if one of the fuses blew, they would have to wait for the body shop to open to restore power. Harris stated the breaker and the fuses “popped” a few days prior to the fire.

Under oath yesterday and today Harris said he was unaware of any safety issues. Other tenants who were interviewed named multiple issues in the GS. The report also lists the contents of the GS which, contrary to Harris' claims, was still cluttered with flammable junk.

Sorry for the rant but I'm really mad at the lies in the testimonies so far.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, June 19th:
*Trial continues- (Day 25) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 22) from 8/10/18 thru 6/13/19 reference post 796 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/17/19 Day 23: Defense witness: Max Harris. Will continue testimony on 6/18.

6/18/19 Day 24: Defense witness: Max Harris. Trial continues on 6/19.

 

[Niner]

Go ahead and rant MsMarple! I'm doing the same....

Defense attorneys said they would see who Max really was - I think they are.... but NOT the way they thought. JMO

 

[Niner]

Thursday, June 20th:
*Trial continues- (Day 26) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 22) from 8/10/18 thru 6/13/19 reference post 796 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/17/19 Day 23: Defense witness: Max Harris. Will continue testimony on 6/18.
6/18/19 Day 24: Defense witness: Max Harris. Trial continues on 6/19.
6/19/19 Day 25: Defense witness: Max Harris. On Thursday, Harris' attorneys will present two final witnesses. Almena's legal team will then begin presenting evidence. We will likely not hear from Almena himself until after the 4th of July holiday. Trial continues to 6/20.

 

[Niner]

for Wednesday:

Ghost Ship Trial: Harris Now Says Building's Back Stairs Weren't Blocked

 

[Niner]

Update for Thursday, 6/20:

Thursday, June 20th:
*Trial continues- (Day 26) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 22) from 8/10/18 thru 6/13/19 reference post 796 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/17/19 Day 23: Defense witness: Max Harris. Will continue testimony on 6/18.
6/18/19 Day 24: Defense witness: Max Harris. Trial continues on 6/19.
6/19/19 Day 25: Defense witness: Max Harris. On Thursday, Harris' attorneys will present two final witnesses. Almena's legal team will then begin presenting evidence. We will likely not hear from Almena himself until after the 4th of July holiday. Trial continues to 6/20.
6/20/19 Day 26: Defense witnesses: Oakland fire lieutenant Salvador Garcia (for Harris' case). Griselva Ceja (who used to run a beauty salon around the corner that was also owned by Ghost Ship landlord Chor Ng & her family). Note: Ng family members won't be testifying in either the criminal or civil trial, having asserted their right against self-incrimination. Olivia Prink. Joe Rodriguez (Almena's friend). Troy Altieri. he trial is dark until Tuesday, at which time Derick Almena's wife Micah Allison is expected to testify. The trial is dark until Tuesday (6/25), at which time Derick Almena's wife Micah Allison is expected to testify.

 

[Niner]

Article re Thursday, 6/20:

KTVU's Ghost Ship trial courtroom blog

 

[Niner]

Article from Tues, 6/25 hearing:

Derick Almena's Wife Takes Stand In Oakland Ghost Ship Fire Trial

 

[Niner]

Oops - forgot to post this for a couple days....

Wednesday, June 26th:
*Trial continues- (Day 28) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 22) from 8/10/18 thru 6/13/19 reference post 796 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/17/19 Day 23: Defense witness: Max Harris. Will continue testimony on 6/18.
6/18/19 Day 24: Defense witness: Max Harris. Trial continues on 6/19.
6/19/19 Day 25: Defense witness: Max Harris. On Thursday, Harris' attorneys will present two final witnesses. Almena's legal team will then begin presenting evidence. We will likely not hear from Almena himself until after the 4th of July holiday. Trial continues to 6/20.
6/20/19 Day 26: Defense witnesses: Oakland fire lieutenant Salvador Garcia (for Harris' case). Griselva Ceja (who used to run a beauty salon around the corner that was also owned by Ghost Ship landlord Chor Ng & her family). Note: Ng family members won't be testifying in either the criminal or civil trial, having asserted their right against self-incrimination. Olivia Prink. Joe Rodriguez (Almena's friend). Troy Altieri. he trial is dark until Tuesday, at which time Derick Almena's wife Micah Allison is expected to testify. The trial is dark until Tuesday (6/25), at which time Derick Almena's wife Micah Allison is expected to testify.
6/25/19 Day 27: Defense witness: Micah Allison (Almena's wife). She will return to witness stand for cross tomorrow on 6/26.

 

[MsMarple]

Article from Tues, 6/25 hearing:

Derick Almena's Wife Takes Stand In Oakland Ghost Ship Fire Trial

Allison offered distinct details and said Sabatini “made the cross,” a common Catholic gesture, when the investigator saw a picture of Jesus near the entrance, and that “she had positive words to say” about the warehouse and its configuration.

I don't believe her. I think she was coached by Serra.

 

[Niner]

Update:

Wednesday, June 26th:
*Trial continues- (Day 28) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 27) from 8/10/18 thru 6/25/19 reference post #809 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/26/19 Day 28: Defense witness: Micah Allison continues testifying. Oakland firefighter Daniel Keenan. Thomas Cappel, musician. After the jury was dismissed, Serra told Judge Trina Thompson that one of their witnesses, unlicensed contractor Troy Altieri had failed to return to court to finish his testimony. Rather than have an arrest warrant issued, Serra asked that Altieri's previous testimony be stricken from the record. The trial is in recess until Monday, 7/8.

 

[Niner]

Recap of July 26th:

Ghost Ship Defense Witness Fails To Return For Cross Examination

 

[Niner]

Monday, July 8th:
*Trial continues- (Day 29) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 27) from 8/10/18 thru 6/25/19 reference post #809 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/26/19 Day 28: Defense witness: Micah Allison continues testifying. Oakland firefighter Daniel Keenan. Thomas Cappel, musician. After the jury was dismissed, Serra told Judge Trina Thompson that one of their witnesses, unlicensed contractor Troy Altieri had failed to return to court to finish his testimony. Rather than have an arrest warrant issued, Serra asked that Altieri's previous testimony be stricken from the record. The trial is in recess until Monday, 7/8.

 

[MsMarple]

Derick Almena is expected to testify:

Almena's lead attorney believes jurors may sympathize with his client:

"You're going to be surprised. He's very articulate. He's very poetic. The heart of him is probably 100 percent artist. He doesn't deserve to be in jail," said Tony Serra, attorney.

Ghost Ship Trial: Derick Almena expected to take the stand today

 

[MsMarple]

The founder of a communal living space in a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse where a fire killed 36 people more than two years ago testified Monday that he couldn’t put into words how he feels but he is sad about the deaths.

“I built something. I dreamed something, I invited, I attracted beautiful people into my space, and I’m responsible for having this idea,” Derick Almena said at his trial during questioning by defense attorney Tony Serra.

Founder of warehouse living space testifies on deadly fire

Cry me a freakin' river. SMDH. Almena said he believed the GS was safe and was told it was safe. No one asked him who exactly told him - c'mon prosecutors, step it up. Almena's making the same BS claims he made right after the fire.

Within minutes of taking the witness stand Monday in the manslaughter trial against him, Derick Almena became so emotional he barely managed to spell out his last name and choked up when referring to the 36 people who died in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire 2 1/2 years ago.

“I feel death… the loss of life forever. They were beautiful, beautiful people,” Almena said, wiping away tears.

Almena, 49, said he felt remorseful for what happened to the people who died on Dec. 2, 2016 during an electronic dance party in the warehouse, where he was a master lease holder. He took long pauses before answering questions from his attorney, Tony Serra, about the deaths.

After Monday’s afternoon testimony ended, Serra said outside the courthouse steps he felt his client did the opposite of what people anticipated.

“Everyone expects him to be arrogant and self-centered,” Serra said. “… he does have contrition.”
Oakland Ghost Ship fire: Defendant expected to take stand

Wrong you are, Mr. Serra. I fully expected Almena to play the remorseful victim. I just hope the jury sees through his shenanigans.

 

[MsMarple]

More... a witness today claimed he heard a "loud argument" and and bottles being broken just before the fire. The witness lived in a sauna (??) in the lot adjoining the GS after previously living inside it.

The witness, Darold Leite, has convictions for assault with a firearm and for receiving stolen property and had done some electrical and other work in the GS.

Leite claimed he saw "7 or 8 people" in dark clothing rush out of the GS after the argument. He said he couldn't see their faces or tell what their ethnicity was.
Witness Testifies To Loud Argument Before Deadly Ghost Ship Fire

I smell a rat. Sharon Evans testified earlier about the "14 to 19" men arguing, up from "7 or 8."

What I'm finding suspicious is that we never heard from either of these people right after the fire. Why not? Msm interviewed dozens of people but not the two who may have been eyewitnesses to a gang of arsonists? Since December 2016 I've scoured msm and sleuthed every person who ever uttered a word about the fire and never came across either of these names.

IMO the defense is trying to pull a fast one in order to create reasonable doubt and I can't help but think they're willing to do whatever it takes to muddy the facts. Harrumph.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, July 9th:
*Trial continues- (Day 30) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2016 killing 36 people: Cash Askew, age 22, Em B (Em Bohlka), 33, Jonathan Bernbaum, 34, Barrett Clark, 35, David Cline, 24, Micah Danemayer, 28, Billy Dixon, 35, Chelsea Dolan, 33, Alex Ghassan, 35, Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, Michela Gregory, 20, Sara Hoda, 30, Travis Hough, 35, Johnny Igaz, 34, Ara Jo, 29, Donna Kellogg, 32, Amanda Kershaw, 34, Edmond Lapine, 34, Griffin Madden, 23, Joseph Matlock, 36, Jason McCarty, 36, Draven McGill, 17, Jennifer Mendiola, 35, Jennifer Morris, 21, Feral Pines, 29, Vanessa Plotkin, 21, Wolfgang Renner, 61, Hanna Ruax, 32, Benjamin Runnels, 32, Nicole Siegrist, 29, Michele Sylvan, 37, Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye, 31, Alex Vega, 22, Peter Wadsworth, 38, Nick Walrath, 31, and Brandon Chase Wittenauer, 32. - *Derick Ion Almena (47), and *Max Cardin Harris (27), charged (8/10/17) with 36 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter; both plead not guilty. They remain in custody at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $750,000 bond (was $1.8M) and face up to 39 years in prison each if convicted.
Trial started April 30, 2019 with opening statements & continued on May 1 with testimony which began on May 6. Trial is expected to take 12 to 18 weeks. Jurors: 9 women/3 men (4 alternates; 5/1: One alternate juror removed due to work hardship. 5/9: one alternate juror removed as “veracity” issues). Court dark on Fridays.
Court hearings, Jury selection & Trial Days (1 thru 27) from 8/10/18 thru 6/25/19 reference post #809 here:
CA - Massive fire at Oakland warehouse party, 36 dead, 2 Dec 2016 #3
6/26/19 Day 28: Defense witness: Micah Allison continues testifying. Oakland firefighter Daniel Keenan. Thomas Cappel, musician. After the jury was dismissed, Serra told Judge Trina Thompson that one of their witnesses, unlicensed contractor Troy Altieri had failed to return to court to finish his testimony. Rather than have an arrest warrant issued, Serra asked that Altieri's previous testimony be stricken from the record. The trial is in recess until Monday, 7/8.
7/8/19 Day 29: Defense witnesses: Darold Leite, a contractor who lived at the Ghost Ship. Derick Almena (testimony will continue tomorrow). Trial continues on 7/9.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Ghost Ship founder testifies at manslaughter trial: 'You can't put into words how I feel'

 

[Spellbound]

for Monday, June 10:

Ghost Ship trial: Defense witness says group of men was 'ecstatic' about deadly fire

Ugh ... just what we need, muddled theories to deflect blame or responsibility. That does not change the fact the venue was unsafe

 

[MsMarple]

Ugh ... just what we need, muddled theories to deflect blame or responsibility. That does not change the fact the venue was unsafe

And Almena continues to accuse whoever he can think of in order to deflect blame off of himself:

The founder of an artists’ collective in a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse that caught fire two years ago, killing 36, said that the many police, fire and other officials who visited the communal live-work space never notified him it might be a fire hazard.
...
Almena said government officials, including child protective services, local fire and teachers, toured the property on 33 occasions. They walked up and down the stairs he built to get to the second floor, where he, his wife and three children slept, and said nothing about safety.

This is quite telling:

Almena did not break down in tears, as he did at times Monday when asked how he felt about the blaze that killed 36 people. He digressed often and was frequently ordered by the judge to answer the questions.
Founder of Oakland Warehouse That Caught Fire and Killed 36 Says City Officials Had No Complaints

Almena and his attorney exaggerate and even lie in their attempt to bamboozle the jury. For example, Almena insisted that the GS wasn't a cluttered maze of junk and that he did his best to keep it clean... and safe. He continues to claim those deadly stairs were just fine. And get this, he's now claiming to be victimized by the landlord who wouldn't "help" and "tricked" him into renting the warehouse.

This is 100% a load of crap. Those of us who sleuthed his, Harris' and other people's sm know it's a lie. I read how he charged tenants extra money to install safety features but never followed through, keeping the money for himself. Witnesses have testified that Almena was told the GS wasn't safe and that he laughed at their concerns.

I'm so angry. I can't begin to understand how the family of Almena's victims must feel. IMO Almena is a danger to society and if he gets off he'll return to his grifting ways and suck in new followers to fool. MOO.