Derick Almena

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FILE - This undated file photo provided by the City of Oakland shows the burned warehouse after the deadly fire that broke out on Dec. 2, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. Family members of the 36 people killed when a fire broke out at a San Francisco warehouse during a music event urged a judge Monday, March 8, 2021, to impose the toughest sentence for Derick Almena, the master tenant of the building, or reject a plea deal he struck with prosecutors to avoid a second trial. (City of Oakland via AP, File)

Defendant in deadly warehouse fire to serve sentence at home

By DAISY NGUYEN - Associated Press

FILE - This Monday, June 5, 2017, file photo released by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. Almena awaiting retrial in a fire that killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse was released from jail Monday, May 4, 2020, because of the coronavirus outbreak. Almena, 50, was released from the Santa Rita Jail after a teleconference hearing Monday, the Alameda County Sheriff's office said. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Man accused in fire at party that killed 36 freed over virus

Associated Press

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the City of Oakland shows the burned warehouse after the deadly fire that broke out on Dec. 2, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. Derick Almena who was in charge of the artists' work-live warehouse that burned three years ago, killing 36, is due back in court Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, for a possible retrial. Almena's previous trial ended in a hung jury. (City of Oakland via AP, File)

The Latest: 2 jurors held in contempt for warehouse trial

Associated Press

FILE - This Monday, June 5, 2017, file photo released by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. Almena who was in charge of an artists' work-live warehouse that burned three years ago, killing 36, is due back in court Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, for a possible retrial. Almena's previous trial ended in a hung jury. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Retrial for man in California warehouse fire that killed 36

Associated Press

Makeshift memorials erected to the victims of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire, photographed Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 in Oakland, Calif. Jurors found defendant Max Harris not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and were unable to reach a verdict in the case against co-defendant Derick Almena. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

California warehouse fire case limps on after hung jury

By JANIE HAR and OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ - Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017, file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. A jury has decided the fate of two men charged with involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors say they turned a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse into a cluttered maze that trapped 36 partygoers during a fast-moving fire. The verdicts for Derick Almena and Max Harris will be announced Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, after a three-month trial that drew family and friends of the victims to a packed courtroom, said Almena's attorney, Brian Getz. They face up to 39 years in prison if convicted. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

No conviction in California warehouse fire stuns families

By JANIE HAR and OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ - Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017, file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. A judge has ordered deliberations to start over in the trial of the two men, accused of turning a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse into a cluttered maze where 36 partygoers died during a fire. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson excused three jurors Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, in the trial of Derick Almena and Max Harris on the 10th day of deliberations. It comes after a four-month trial on involuntary manslaughter charges.(Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Jury to restart deliberations in Oakland warehouse fire case

By JANIE HAR - Associated Press

Prosecutor: Defendants in deadly fire ‘criminally negligent’

By DAISY NGUYEN - Associated Press

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the City of Oakland shows the burned warehouse after the deadly fire that broke out on Dec. 2, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. Derick Almena, the founder of a California communal living warehouse where a fire killed 36 people more than two years ago, says he's not blaming anyone else in the deadly fire, the East Bay Times reported Thursday, July 11, 2019. (City of Oakland via AP, File)

Defendant in fatal warehouse blaze ‘not blaming anyone’

Associated Press

FILE - This Monday, June 5, 2017, file photo released by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. The leader of a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse where a fire killed 36 people more than two years ago has taken the stand in his defense for the first time. Almena is accused of illegally converting the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse into an artist live-work space where the Dec. 2, 2016, fire broke out during an electronic music concert. Almena testified Monday, July 8, 2019 that he feels responsible for building the community of artists and is &quot;responsible for having the idea&quot; for the Ghost Ship. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Artists’ warehouse founder: City visited, had no complaints

By JANIE HAR - Associated Press

FILE - This Monday, June 5, 2017, file photo released by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. The leader of a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse where a fire killed 36 people more than two years ago has taken the stand in his defense for the first time. Almena is accused of illegally converting the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse into an artist live-work space where the Dec. 2, 2016, fire broke out during an electronic music concert. Almena testified Monday, July 8, 2019 that he feels responsible for building the community of artists and is &quot;responsible for having the idea&quot; for the Ghost Ship. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Founder of warehouse living space testifies on deadly fire

By JANIE HAR - Associated Press

The Latest: Man charged in deadly California fire testifies

Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017, file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. Harris, one of two men blamed for a warehouse fire that killed 36 people in the San Francisco Bay Area two years ago, is scheduled to take the witness stand Monday, June 17, 2019, in Oakland. He faces involuntary manslaughter charges along with Almena, who is accused of illegally converting the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse into an artist live-work space where the fire broke out in December 2016. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

California warehouse fire defendant: No one was in charge

By DAISY NGUYEN - Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017 file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena, at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. More than two years after 36 people died in the fire, Almena and Harris, the two men who face charges of involuntary manslaughter, will stand trial on charges that they allegedly illegally converted the industrial building into an unlicensed entertainment venue and artist live-work space. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Defense upholds Oakland warehouse operator as family man

By PAUL ELIAS - Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017 file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena, at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. More than two years after 36 people died in the fire, Almena and Harris, the two men who face charges of involuntary manslaughter, will stand trial on charges that they allegedly illegally converted the industrial building into an unlicensed entertainment venue and artist live-work space. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

The Latest: Defense seeks to shift blame for warehouse fire

Associated Press

FILE - In this July 3, 2018, file photo, attorneys Tony Serra, center, and Brian Getz, right, representing Derick Almena, speak to reporters at a courthouse in Oakland, Calif. More than two years after 36 people died in the fire, Almena and Max Harris, the two men who face charges of involuntary manslaughter, will stand trial on charges that they allegedly illegally converted the industrial building into an unlicensed entertainment venue and artist live-work space. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Families weep as trial opens in California warehouse fire

By PAUL ELIAS - Associated Press

FILE - In this July 3, 2018, file photo, attorneys Tony Serra, center, and Brian Getz, right, representing Derick Almena, speak to reporters at a courthouse in Oakland, Calif. More than two years after 36 people died in the fire, Almena and Max Harris, the two men who face charges of involuntary manslaughter, will stand trial on charges that they allegedly illegally converted the industrial building into an unlicensed entertainment venue and artist live-work space. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

The Latest: Lawyer tries shifting blame for warehouse fire

Associated Press

FILE - This combination of file June 2017 booking photos released by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena, at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. Harris and Almena, the two men charged with involuntary manslaughter for the 2016 warehouse blaze that killed three dozen partygoers, will face trial in Oakland early next year. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Warehouse fire defendants to face trial in Oakland

Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017 file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena, at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. A judge will hear a motion asking the court to uphold a plea bargain that was reached with the two men accused of being responsible for a warehouse fire that killed two dozen people at an unlicensed party. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

The Latest: California warehouse fire hearing delayed

Associated Press

FILE - This combination of June 2017 file booking photos provided by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office shows Max Harris, left, and Derick Almena, at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County, Calif. A judge will hear a motion asking the court to uphold a plea bargain that was reached with the two men accused of being responsible for a warehouse fire that killed two dozen people at an unlicensed party. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Judge’s vacation delays fatal warehouse fire court case

By PAUL ELIAS - Associated Press