Attorney for families of Ghost Ship victims blames Oakland, PG&E

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - A civil attorney representing the families of the victims in the Ghost Ship warehouse is pointing the finger at the City of Oakland and Pacific Gas & Electric. 

Mary Alexander says the Ghost Ship trial hurt her case because the city and utility weren't held responsible. 

Both defendants, Max Harris and Derick Almena, are named in the civil suit along with the city, PG&E, and the Ngs who own the building. 

Alexander claims the city was well aware people were living in the warehouse and that it was also used to throw parties. 

"They failed to stop it and to protect the people and as a result, these 36 beautiful young people died," she said after Thursday's verdict in the trial ended with a split jury. 

Harris was found not guilty on all 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter while the jury was deadlocked on whether to convict or acquit Almena resulting in a mistrial. 

Alexander applauded the district attorney's office for holding Harris and Almena responsible for the 36 deaths but says there's more work to be done. 

The civil case goes to trial in May.