A Florida boater is alleged to have attempted to kill a diver by cutting off his air supply during a confrontation over a lobster fishing spot off the state’s coast. Authorities state that Michael Joseph Simpson Jr, 51, has been charged with attempted felony murder following the incident in Miami’s Biscayne Bay.
According to a sheriff’s office report, the alleged victim, diver Hunter Coffer, was preparing to search for lobsters on 29 July when an argument began with people on another boat over a fishing spot. The report alleges that Simpson then purposefully turned off Coffer’s breathing apparatus, a Brownie’s third lung system, while he was underwater.
Coffer was reportedly pulled to the surface by a companion, gasping for air and disoriented. Simpson’s criminal defense attorney issued a statement on Thursday dismissing the allegations as “false” and claiming that video footage supports his client’s account.
Simpson later surrendered to officers on 4 August and was released after posting a $10,000 surety bond. His attorney expressed optimism that prosecutors would not file formal charges.