South Florida man accused of shutting off diver's air supply after confrontation during state's lobster mini season
Investigators say Michael Joseph Simpson swam to a Brownie Third Lung system and cut off a teen diver’s air during a dispute over a lobster spot.
- On Tuesday, authorities arrested Michael Joseph Simpson, 51, of Miami Beach on attempted murder charges stemming from an incident in Biscayne Bay on July 29. Deputies accused Simpson of intentionally cutting off a diver's air supply during the recreational Lobster Sport Season.
- A verbal dispute erupted after Simpson's vessel approached another boat at a high rate of speed near Fisher Island. Occupants of both boats argued over the prime lobster diving spot, with Simpson's crew claiming the other boat was in their location.
- Witnesses reported Simpson swam to the Brownie Third Lung and shut it off, cutting the diver's air. The victim was tangled in an anchor line and hose before his boat captain pulled him to safety, gasping for air and disoriented.
- During a Wednesday court appearance, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer reduced Simpson's charge from attempted felony murder to second-degree attempted murder. The judge granted a $10,000 bond.
- Simpson's family released a statement asserting he "never came into contact with, or interfered with, anyone's diving equipment." The defense plans to present evidence in court to clear his name and restore his reputation as a responsible boater.
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Man charged with attempted murder in alleged lobster diving incident speaks out
A 51-year-old man who is accused of turning off the air supply of a teenage lobster diver is speaking out a day after he was charged with attempted second-degree murder.
Florida Boater Accused of Cutting Diver’s Air During Lobster Dispute
MIAMI, Florida — A dispute over a prized lobster-diving location in Biscayne Bay escalated into an attempted murder case after authorities accused a Miami Beach boater of deliberately shutting off an 18-year-old diver’s air supply underwater. Michael Joseph Simpson Jr., 51, was charged with attempted felony murder following the July 29 confrontation during Florida’s two-day recreational spiny lobster season. According to a Miami-Dade sheriff’s r…
Florida Man Accused Of Turning Off Air Supply To Teen Lobster Diver - Tampa Free Press
A dispute over a Miami lobster fishing spot led to an attempted murder charge after a man allegedly shut off a teenage diver’s air supply mid-dive. Court records show 51-year-old Michael Simpson was arrested by police after turning himself in to the Miami-Dade County Jail on Tuesday. He faces one count of attempted murder following […] Florida Man Accused Of Turning Off Air Supply To Teen Lobster Diver
Florida man charged with attempted murder, accused of turning off air supply of submerged teen diver
A former Florida boating safety task force member was charged with attempted second-degree murder after he allegedly turned off the air supply of a submerged teenage lobster diver, authorities said.
Florida man gets in argument over lobster diving spot. So, he allegedly decides to cut off fellow diver’s oxygen supply
An argument between Florida men over a lobster fishing spot turned into attempted murder after one of the men allegedly cut off another man’s oxygen supply. Michael Joseph Simpson has been accused of trying to murder another diver over the bitter fishing spot battle. Simpson, 51, turned himself in to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, reports the New York Post. He was subsequently booked that evening …
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