US man accused of trying to kill diver by cutting air supply in lobster dispute
Summary
A man in Florida, Michael Joseph Simpson Jr., was charged with attempted felony murder for allegedly cutting off a diver’s air supply during a dispute over lobster fishing spots in Biscayne Bay. Simpson’s lawyer says the accusations are false and presents video and eyewitnesses to support his client’s version of events.Key Facts
- The incident happened on July 29 in Miami’s Biscayne Bay during a disagreement about where to catch lobsters.
- Diver Hunter Coffer was underwater using a “third lung” air system connected to a boat when Simpson allegedly turned off the air supply.
- Several witnesses reportedly saw Simpson turn off the diver’s air supply, causing Coffer to surface gasping for air and tangled in hoses.
- Simpson was charged with attempted felony murder and surrendered to authorities on August 4, then posted a $10,000 bond to be released.
- Simpson’s attorney claims that video shows Simpson was not near the equipment when trouble happened and that Simpson moved away calmly to avoid escalation.
- The lawyer also said Simpson cooperated with wildlife officers and that eyewitnesses support Simpson’s account, criticizing the sheriff’s decision to arrest him.
- The diver’s age is reported to be 18 by some news sources, though it was not listed in the sheriff’s report.
- The conflict involved boats and their crews arguing over a lobster catching spot, described as a case of “boat rage.”
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