Diver Indicted in 2003 GBR mishap

[Bratface]

Computers don't work if the batteries are in backwards which he said was the reason why he surfaced after starting the dive, put the batteries in correctly then resumed the dive. Computers don't lie either. His showed that he was in the water, surfaced and then resumed the dive. It also showed he did not go down to get his wife and didn't blast to the surface but took a slow ascent to the surface while his new bride lay on the sand not breathing. Something is clearly wrong here. Still,due to our legal process, he is innocent until proven guilty. Time will tell.

 

[love2fishfork]

One thing I missed during the story was about the bear hug. They said something about him being able to turn off her air. But how would it get turned back on? When they found her everything was working properly. Unless she died during the bear hug and he turned her air back on just before he let her go.

 

[mike_s]

"They'd already pushed off from the fixed-chain guide the divers call a rope."

I saw that also... thought it was just poor journalism.

....Ken Snyder and Doug Milsap are divers with 25 years of experience and both can claim the highest level of certification in their sport: dive master.....

again, poor journalism.... didn't research the facts. Either that and the divers were Master Divers which is the highest rec cert, but again points to journalist not researching their facts.

Any explanation for his cutting away the flowers her family kept leaving at the gravesite? What a loser!

it appears he was a 'control freak'.

did you see the part about her engagement ring sitting in the jewelry store bag on top of his TV? He told her that if she peeked in the bag that he would take it back. This went on for 6 months. he was just tormenting her and controlling her.

One thing I missed during the story was about the bear hug. They said something about him being able to turn off her air. But how would it get turned back on? When they found her everything was working properly. Unless she died during the bear hug and he turned her air back on just before he let her go

The police re-enacted this. They showed that during the bear hug that hte husband could reach around the wife diver, turn her air off, and when she quit breathing turn it back on so that nothing seemed wrong with the scuba gear.



As a side note, the shop that certified her went out of business a couple years ago. (this wasn't on the show, but the shop was listed on the cert card shown and I know the shop). I wonder if there were any lawsuits against the shop/instructors that influenced their demise? (note:... this is just curiosity/wide-ass-speculation on my part).

also the dive quarry they showed where she did her checkout dives is still in operation. That was Alabama Bluewater Adventures in Pelham, AL.

 

[mike_s]

Here's the whole story from Dateline last night.

Mystery in the deep blue sea - Crime reports - MSNBC.com

 

[Ayisha]

Thanks for the updates and the synopsis! This really isn't looking accidental. Perhaps he might regret using a computer which basically graphed every moment of his dive rather than using analog gauges... in addition to all the other inconsistencies and eye-witness accounts...

 

[mike_s]

Thanks for the updates and the synopsis! This really isn't looking accidental. Perhaps he might regret using a computer which basically graphed every moment of his dive rather than using analog gauges... in addition to all the other inconsistencies and eye-witness accounts...

While i agree that this doesn't look accidental, is there really any 'hard evidence' they can pin on him at trial to convict him?

Yes they can prove he lied with this statement to the police as his dive computer profile proves that, but, there is no "smoking gun".

I don't think they have enough to convict him. (my opinion).

 

[robint]

I did watch the show, along with my husband...... I think the guy killed her. I hope to goes down for this.

His dive computer and the fact she was not found where he said they were diving shows that he lied over and over.

The other divers from the Spoilsport didn't believe his story from the moment it all happened either, and they didn't like his behavior. He didn't even go to his wife when someone else pulled her out of the water! Honestly, I think he took her out over the sand and expected for her not to be found for awhile and he was shocked to see her being pulled up right after he leisurely surfaced.

The police reinactment showed that she couldn't have landed where she did and that he could have held her, turned off her air and let her die, then turned it back on and let her go....

His whole taped interview with police was such melodrama, too! What a bunch of crap. He lied over and over and his dive computer showed it. He claimed he went to the surface for help so fast that he could have gotten bent -- but his computer said it took 2 minutes from 40' depth! Right, dude.

Those who haven't seen the show, try to watch it. There are so many facts pointing right at the husband. The actual photo of her lying on her back on the bottom is creepy, too. She had to be dead before she hit bottom to land like that with her BC totally deflated.

Just our opinions from watching the show. As I said, we think he did kill her and hopefully he goes to jail for it.

robin

 

[AndyM]

I caught it.

I agree with almitywife that:

im inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt

I guess I want to be careful where I jump in as judge and jury. Several years ago an acquaintance of mine had a young son who was choking. He flipped him over and tried to dislodge the piece of food by smacking the boy's back. He was frantic and hit too hard. The baby died (from the choking), and because of the man's efforts to save his son the baby showed signs of shaken baby syndrome. He was crucified in the local papers. Everyone automatically assumed abuse rather than panic. That event taught me a lot about jumping to conclusions. None of us know how we will react to a situation until we are in it.

On the other hand, if he did it, I hope justice is done. I agree with DOC:

He'll reap what he's sown one day one place.

It's times like this I am glad that I believe in a life after this one where justice missed on this earth is not justice missed entirely.

 

[del_mo]

One thing I missed during the story was about the bear hug. They said something about him being able to turn off her air. But how would it get turned back on? When they found her everything was working properly. Unless she died during the bear hug and he turned her air back on just before he let her go.

BINGO!

 

[mike_s]

so.... lets change the discussion here a little.


1.) Is there enough evidence to take this to a jury for trial?

2.) Is there enough evidence to convict?


What are your thoughts?


my answers are

1.) maybe...

2.) no. Not enough for a conviciton. they only hard evidence they have is proof he lied about his story (dive computer proved story inaccurate) and one witness that only witnessed a 'bear hug'. that alone is not enough for a conviction.