Judge denies bid to reinstate plea bargain in Oakland Ghost Ship case

A judge recently denied a motion by Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena that would have reinstated a plea bargain in the case against Almena and creative director Max Harris on 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the fire at the warehouse two years ago.

Almena, 48, and Harris, 28, pleaded no contest on July 3 to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the fire during a music party at the warehouse at 1309 31st Ave., on Dec. 2, 2016, in a deal brokered by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson that called for Almena to serve nine years in the county jail and for Harris to serve six years.