Oakland judge issues gag order in Ghost Ship warehouse fire case

Despite the defense’s strong objections, including an allegation that it smacks of Nazi Germany and fascism, a judge granted the prosecution’s request for a gag order on Jan. 18 in the trial two men for the 2016 Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland that killed 36 people.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson said she is issuing the so-called “protective order” in the trial of Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena and creative director Max Harris because the case “has received community-wide notoriety” and she’s concerned that if potential jurors are exposed to irrelevant information it could endanger their right to a fair trial.