Biscayne Bay, in Miami. Photograph: Robin Hill/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenBiscayne Bay, in Miami. Photograph: Robin Hill/Getty ImagesUS man accused of trying to kill diver by cutting air supply in lobster disputeFlorida man faces count of attempted felony murder after confrontation over a spot to catch lobster, authorities say
A Florida boater was alleged to have tried to kill a diver by cutting off his air supply while they fought over a spot to catch lobsters off the state’s coast recently, according to authorities.
Michael Joseph Simpson Jr’s criminal defense attorney on Thursday issued a statement dismissing those allegations as “false”. Nonetheless, Simpson, 51, was faced with a count of attempted felony murder after he was jailed in what a sheriff’s office report portrayed as a particularly heated case of boat rage on the waters of Miami’s Biscayne Bay.
According to that sheriff’s report, the alleged victim in the case – identified as diver Hunter Coffer – was on board a vessel preparing to search for lobsters underwater on the morning of 29 July when another Conch-brand boat pulled up and circled the area several times.
People on the 28ft-Conch vessel began arguing that their “spot” had been stolen by those on the boat that Coffer was on, including the watercraft’s owner, Steven Del Sol, the sheriff’s report maintained. Another larger, Contender-brand boat allied with the Conch vessel then arrived as the bickering continued – and as Coffer dived into the water while connected to an apparatus that supplies breathing air from the surface.
Del Sol soon had to warn “a juvenile diver” from the 39ft Contender to stay away from Coffer’s breathing apparatus, known as a Brownie’s third lung system, because it was being used, the sheriff’s report said.
The document alleged that Simpson then angrily rejoined: “I’ll turn the Brownie off if I want to!” He also allegedly swam up to the third lung, purposefully turned it off and deprived Coffer of his air supply, in view of multiple witnesses, the sworn sheriff’s report added.
According to the report, at least one of Coffer’s companions at that point shouted: “We have a diver down there, you asshole!” Del Sol then reportedly jumped into the water and pulled Coffer to the surface using the air hose to which he was connected.
Coffer was said to be gasping for air, disoriented and entangled by the hose as well as a boat anchor line when he surfaced. The sheriff’s report alleged that a witness took cellphone pictures and video of the encounter, with footage showing Simpson “swimming rapidly away from … the Brownie after it was shut off”.
Simpson then “fled” aboard the Contender boat while accompanied by the Conch vessel, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators said Del Sol subsequently reported Simpson to the sheriff’s office. Simpson’s attorneys then arranged for him to surrender on 4 August to officers at Turner Guilford Knight correctional center, where he was booked in the case, according to the sheriff’s report.
Simpson, of nearby Miami Beach, later posted a $10,000 surety bond to secure his release from custody pending the outcome of the case.
Coffer’s age was not listed in the sheriff’s report. But various news outlets reported it as 18.
A lawyer for Simpson, Howard Srebnick, said in a statement on Thursday that his client “never disabled anyone’s diving equipment”.
“Video footage of the event corroborates that one of the accusers fell off their boat and became entangled in the third-lung device while Mr Simpson was nowhere near it,” Srebnick’s statement alleged.
The statement also disputed that Simpson, who was with his two young children that day, “fled” from Del Sol and Coffer. “He wisely putt-putted away from the immediate vicinity at idle speed (captured on video) – rather than allow the situation to escalate – and positioned his vessel nearby,” Srebnick’s statement said.
Srebnick furthermore said that Simpson “cooperated with … and gave a statement” to Florida fish and wildlife commission officers that responded to the confrontation.
“Numerous eyewitnesses on two separate boats corroborate Simpson and directly contradict the accusers’ false allegations,” Srebnick asserted. “For reasons not explained, the Miami … sheriff’s office decided to arrest rather than interview all the exculpatory eyewitnesses.”
Srebnick’s statement expressed optimism that state prosecutors would ultimately refuse to file formal charges against Simpson, allowing him to “clear his name and restore the reputation he has spent a lifetime building”.
“Simpson has devoted his life to boating safety,” Srebnick’s statement said. “He has earned a reputation as one of south Florida’s safest and most responsible boaters and serves on a boating safety council.”
