NASSAU- A tour boat company owner and his captain have been acquitted of causing a deadly boat explosion through negligence.
Justice Jeanine Weech-Gomez directed a jury to acquit Clayton Patterson Smith, the founder of Four C’s Adventures, and Roderic Watson of causing the June 30,2018 incident.
The boat, which was carrying American tourists, burst into flames on its way to the famous Pig Beach in Exuma.
Maleka Grimes Jackson was killed and her husband Tiran was seriously injured. They were celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary.
Stephanie Schaffer, who was vacationing with her family, had both legs amputated, suffered a spinal injury and brain damage. Schaffer’s mother, Stephanie Bender, and stepfather, Paul Bender, were also injured.
A boating expert claimed the vessel had multiple faults, which all could have caused the explosion.
However, Justice Weech-Gomez found that the prosecution’s case, taken at its highest, was such that a jury properly directed could not convict upon it.
Smith and Watson were charged with manslaughter by negligence and Watson alone was charged with negligently causing harm to the survivors.
Smith faced an additional charge of negligently endangering a vessel.
Murrio Ducille KC and Bryan Bastian represented the defendants.
