Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Families: 'We Didn't Get Justice Today' in California 'Ghost Ship' Fire

Associated Press

   OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - A jury Thursday didn't convict two men charged
   after flames tore through a party at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse
   that had been converted into a mazelike artist space, stunning families
   of the 36 victims who had opposed a deal that would have put the pair
   behind bars.

   Jurors acquitted Max Harris of involuntary manslaughter but said they
   could not agree on whether to convict or acquit Derick Almena after
   deliberating over a two-week period.

   As the judge declared a mistrial, sobs and gasps erupted from family
   and friends of the victims who packed the courtroom for the emotional
   three-month trial. The men were accused of filling the building in
   Oakland with so much clutter that it trapped people at an electronic
   music party nearly three years ago.

.