Ghost Ship defendant admits lying to police that no one lived inside warehouse
OAKLAND — One of the two men blamed for 36 deaths in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire admitted in court Tuesday he lied to Oakland police when he told them a year before the deadly inferno that no one lived inside the building.
Max Harris’ acknowledgement came during his second straight day on the stand in his manslaughter trial as the prosecution tried to poke holes in his testimony to portray him as a liar.
Under Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Autrey James’ cross-examination, Harris said he told police on June 14, 2015 — more than a year before the fire — that no one lived inside the warehouse because he feared being evicted if they knew the structure was inhabited.
In police body camera footage played for the jury Tuesday, Harris is seen outside the warehouse after police were called about an alleged stabbing. Oakland Police Officer Brian Kline, whose body camera was turned on, asks Harris if anyone lives inside.
Read more: https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/06/18/ghost-ship-defendant-admits-he-lied-to-police-about-living-in-warehouse/
(San Jose Mercury News)
