OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on two men charged in connection with Oakland warehouse fire that killed 36 (all times local):
10:15 a.m.
Lawyers for two men charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the Oakland warehouse fire that killed 36 people say they will seek their release from jail on minimal or no bail.
Derick Almena and Max Harris are each being held on bail of a little more than $1 million after their arrests last month. Their lawyers said after a brief court hearing Friday that both men should have their bail amount significantly reduced.
The lawyers said neither man is a flight risk or likely to commit the same crime if released. Almena and Harris were scheduled to enter pleas Friday, but the judge agreed with their lawyers to delay their arraignment to Aug. 4.
Almena’s lawyer Tony Serra and Harris’ attorney Curtis Briggs say they are waiting for prosecutors to turn over more evidence before entering a plea.
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12:05 a.m.
Two men each charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter for the December Oakland warehouse fire that killed three dozen people are expected to enter pleas.
Derick Ion Almena and Max Harris are set to appear in Alameda County court on Friday.
They are each charged with illegally converting the warehouse to a residence and entertainment venue and then creating a fire hazard through unpermitted modifications.
The 47-year-old Almena rented the warehouse and lived there with his family. The 27-year-old Harris also lived in the warehouse and helped Almena book musical acts and sublet the space to artists looking for affordable housing.
Both men were arrested last month and remain in jail.
The men’s lawyers say their clients are being scapegoated for the region’s housing crisis.
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