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June 29, 2015

Criminal probe in balcony deaths

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors said they have opened a criminal investigation into a fatal California balcony collapse that could lead to involuntary manslaughter charges.

However, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley declined to discuss any possible target of her investigation, saying it could end with no charges being filed.

Six students were killed last week, including five from Ireland, and seven others were injured when a balcony broke from the side of a Berkeley apartment building.

City inspectors said the balcony was supported by wooden beams that had been badly rotted by water damage.

Trevor Martin, a spokesman for Segue Construction, the contractor in charge of building the Berkeley apartment complex, said, “We continue to offer our full cooperation to all investigating authorities.”

The company recently settled two lawsuits involving balconies with dry rot at two apartment buildings in California for a combined $6.5 million.

Lawyers say it's difficult to win convictions against property owners, contractors and others involving allegations of construction failures.

The last known criminal prosecution of a balcony collapse in California occurred in San Francisco almost 20 years ago.




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