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Ghost Fire Trial: Defendants Plead Not Guilty to 36 Charges of Manslaughter

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 05: Danielle Boudreaux, who knew the man who rented out the Ghost Ship warehouse for parties and was a frequent visitor herself, cries by a makeshift memorial near the site of a warehouse fire that has claimed the lives of at least thirty-six people on December 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. The fire took place during a musical event late Friday night. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)

The Ghost Ship warehouse operators who were arrested following last December’s fatal fire have pleaded not guilty to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said Derick Almena and Max Harris’ reckless actions caused the inferno that killed 36 attendees at an electronic music party on December 2. Almena, 47, was the master tenant and leader of the artist collective, and 27-year–old Harris was the creative director. The two each face 39 years in prison if they’re convicted.

A preliminary hearing will take place November 13, according to SFGATE. Almena and Harris both remain in jail custody on $750,000 bond.