The trial against two men charged in the deaths of 36 people in Oakland’s 2016 Ghost Ship fire is headed for its scheduled start date next month, after defense attorneys on Thursday rebuffed a plea offer and a judge denied an attempt to delay the trial. The trial against two men charged in the deaths of 36 people in Oakland’s 2016 Ghost Ship fire is headed for its scheduled start date next month, after defense attorneys on Thursday rebuffed a plea offer and a judge denied an attempt to delay the trial. Briggs had asked for more time to allow his forensic experts to prepare for the case. But a judge on Thursday ultimately sided with prosecutors — as well as Almena’s attorney—who argued that the July 16 trial should remain on schedule.
Tony Serra, Almena’s attorney, said there are “psychological consequences” for prolonging his client’s pretrial detention.
Serra, who described Almena as an artist and a “free spirit” said his client had been depressed in jail and gained 40 pounds.