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Two more Bayesian crew members are on trial for manslaughter after seven people died when a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily.
The yacht’s captain “exercised his right to remain silent” as he faced further questions from Italian prosecutors probing the sinking of billionaire Mike Lynch’s superyacht, his lawyer says.
James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander, is on trial for possible manslaughter and shipwreck charges and was questioned for a third time by Termini Imeris prosecutors on Tuesday.
“The captain exercised his right to remain silent for two basic reasons,” lawyer Giovanni Rizzuti told reporters. “First, he is very tired. Second, we were only appointed on Monday, and for a complete and proper defense case, we need to get a set of data that we don’t currently have.
Being placed under investigation does not necessarily mean guilt and formal charges will necessarily follow. It is not yet clear if other people will also be investigated.
It comes amid tributes to the owner of the British-flagged ship, Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah Lynch, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judith Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo.
How Mike Lynch’s inner circle celebrated the end of the billionaire’s 13-year court battle
British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were initially among the unknown after his superyacht Bayesian capsized in a storm off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning.
After a decade-long legal battle that saw him extradited to the United States to face an $11 billion fraud case, Mr Lynch celebrated by inviting close friends, colleagues and aides to join his legal team on his yacht. Gratitude.
Read the full article here:
Holly Evans28 Aug 2024 12:50
Read the full story: Two more crew members are under investigation
Two other crew members from the Bayesian, including the ship’s engineer and a sailor, are under investigation for the manslaughter.
A source said Tim Parker Easton was suspected of failing to secure the boat’s engine room and operating systems, while Matthew Griffith was on lookout duty on the night of the incident.
Read the full article from Tara Cobham here:
Holly Evans28 Aug 2024 12:34
The investigation will consider every possible element
Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cardozio, who is leading the investigation, said his team would consider every possible liability, including the captain, crew, persons responsible for supervision and the boat manufacturer.
The legal team has also said that their investigation will take time and Bayesian has to recover the wreckage of the spaceship from the sea. It lies on its right side at a depth of 50 meters (164 feet).
Holly Evans28 Aug 2024 12:20
Two more team members from Bayesian are under investigation
Two more Bayesian crew members are on trial for manslaughter after seven people were killed when a superyacht capsized in a storm off Sicily last week.
Italian prosecutors are investigating two other crew members, along with its captain, in connection with the sinking of the British-flagged Bayesian on Aug. 19 while anchored in northern Sicily, a judicial source said on Wednesday.
Ship’s engineer Tim Parker Eden and seaman Matthew Griffith are both being investigated for the same offences. The source said Parker Eaton was suspected of failing to secure the boat’s engine room and operating systems while Griffith was on watch on the night of the incident.
Being investigated does not necessarily mean guilt and formal charges will follow.
Holly Evans28 Aug 2024 12:05
Suspends coverage
Good evening, that’s it for our coverage today.
Alex Ross27 August 2024 20:30
What happened when the boat started to sink?
According to the Marine Traffic website, the Bayesian sent its last signal before sinking via automatic identification system (AIS) tracking at 0206 GMT.
A red flare alerting rescue services of an emergency was shot into the sky at 0238 GMT 30 minutes after the boat went down, chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cardozio said.
Girolamo Bentivoglio Fiandra, head of Palermo’s fire brigade, said the boat sank from the stern and lay on its starboard side at a depth of about 50 meters (164 feet).
On board the boat, the bodies of the dead were found in cabins on the left side of the boat, where passengers may have tried to search for remaining air bubbles, he said.
Prosecutor Camarano said the passengers were probably all asleep during the storm, which is why they failed to escape.
Alex Ross27 August 2024 20:00
Bayesian Captain’s Law Group
Bayesian captain James Cutfield has been asked to hire a lawyer after an investigation by Italian prosecutors investigating Sunday’s sinking.
According to his lawyer Aldo Mortiglia, the 51-year-old is being tried for manslaughter and shipwreck.
Mr Mordiglia is one of two lawyers representing New Zealanders. The other was the Palermo lawyer Giovanni Rizzuti.
According to Italian media reports, Mr Mortiglia, from Genoa, specializes in maritime and international law.
Alex Ross27 August 2024 19:00
Bayesian captain ‘exercised right to remain silent’ at manslaughter trial, lawyer says
Captain of Bayesian Yatt did not respond to questions from prosecutors as he was spoken to for the third time on Tuesday, his attorney said.
James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander, is on trial for possible manslaughter and shipwreck charges.
“The captain exercised his right to remain silent for two basic reasons,” lawyer Giovanni Rizzuti told reporters. “First, he is very tired. Second, we were only appointed on Monday, and for a complete and proper defense case, we need to get a set of data that we don’t currently have.
Prosecution does not mean guilt or that charges will necessarily follow. Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cardozio said his panel would consider every possible liability, including the captain, crew, persons responsible for supervision and the boat manufacturer.
The Times One of Mr Cutfield’s lawyers said the captain was “understandably very shaken” after the ordeal last Monday.
Giselda Vagnoni The report also includes:
Andy Gregory27 Aug 2024 18:17
Who was Bayesian?
The Bayesian sinking off the coast of Sicily made headlines around the world, and interest grew when it was revealed that British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was among those on board.
The cruise was a celebration for Mr Lynch with friends, colleagues and his legal team after winning a decade-long legal battle.
Here’s who was on board at the time of the tragedy:
Alex Ross27 August 2024 18:00
Why did Bayesian collapse?
Hatches and doors left open overnight on the superyacht Bayesian may have contributed to the Italian sinking, a sailing expert has said.
Sam Jefferson, editor of Sailing Today, believes the ship’s massive mast may have contributed to the fatal incident.
Mr Jefferson told the PA news agency: “I would have said the boat was hit so hard by the wind that it tipped over on its side.
“All the doors were open because it was hot enough hatches and doors were open that it filled with water very quickly and sank.
“The reason it’s knitted so tightly is because the mast is huge.
“It almost acted like a sail. (It) pushed the boat hard on its side.
“(The boat) filled with water before it was right.
“It’s all speculation, but it’s the only logical explanation.”
Alex Ross27 August 2024 17:00