Defense attorney in Ghost Ship trial asks for 6-month delay

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The defense in the Ghost Ship fire case is asking for a delay in the trial because of newly discovered evidence. They want the trial pushed back six months.

Ghost Ship warehouse creative director Max Harris and warehouse master tenant Derick Almena are charged with 36 counts of manslaughter for the 2016 fire that killed 36 people at the warehouse.

Harris' attorney said the new evidence could impact the defense strategy.

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Judge Trina Thompson said at a recent hearing she expects the trial to be lengthy. Thompson said during Friday's hearing that she plans to address the motion to delay the trial later in the afternoon.

Harris' attorney also has a few upcoming cases that could conflict with the Ghost Ship fire trial date.

Among other requests, Almena's attorney wants to bar any reference to the warehouse or Ghost Ship being called a "fire trap," or any term similar to that. The defense also plans to ask the judge to dismiss Almena and Harris' charges on the grounds that, "potentially exonerating evidence was destroyed, lost or altered under the watch of prosecutors."

The judge believes Friday's hearing could last all day.

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