An Alameda County Superior Court judge dismissed three jurors in the Ghost Ship manslaughter trial, forcing the newly constituted jury to start the deliberations anew.
Judge Trina Thompson used three of four available alternate jurors to take the places of the dismissed members on Thursday.
No explanation has been given for the decision to replace the three women.
The jury had been wrestling for 10 days with manslaughter charges against Ghost Ship warehouse tenants Derick Almena and Max Harris who are blamed for the fire that killed 36 people at a December 2016 party.
The announcement about the makeup of the jury came around 3 p.m. while journalists and members of the public were kept outside of the courtroom.
WATCH: Danielle Silva, friend of #GhostshipTrial co-defendant Max Harris, reacts to judge’s order to remove 3 jurors & restart deliberations. “This has been a tough waiting period. We still have high hopes this will get resolved.” Reports from #Oakland on @KCBSRadio pic.twitter.com/x42YgKI1tn
— Carrie Hodousek (@CarrieHodousek)
August 20, 2019 Before the announcement, three jurors were led into the courtroom with a bailiff escort after family members of the victims were notified that there was a development in the case.
The trial began in April.
Deliberations began again this afternoon.
Doug Sovern and Carrie Hodousek contributed reporting.
