A lawyer says a plea deal is on the table for the central figure charged in connection with the Ghost Ship warehouse fire that killed three dozen partygoers at an unlicensed concert.
Lawyer Tony Serra told KRON4 that prosecutors and defense attorneys were close to an agreement.
However, a plea deal was not reached on Friday.
All parties will be back in court July 3.
Ghost ship fire hearing over. No action. All parties back in court Tuesday July 3 at 2 PM. At this point no plea deal agreement @kron4news— Dan Kerman (@DanKermanSF) June 29, 2018
Derick Almena and prosecutors have tentatively agreed to an eight-year prison sentence, according to Serra. He says Almena would serve three of those years.
Serra says taking this plea would show his client is taking responsibility at a moral level and would eliminate the pain and suffering the victims’ families would go through if the case was litigated.
However, Serra says the plea deal is not a guarantee.
Serra told KRON4 that the DA has offered the same deal co-defendant Max Harris.
However, Harris’ lawyers say that he had not been offered a deal.
Both must accept the offer, according to Serra.
Almena faces 36 involuntary manslaughter charges for the 2016 fire at the warehouse.
Almena rented the Oakland warehouse and illegally converted it into a residence and entertainment venue.
Check back for updates
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