Fresh legal action has been launched in relation to the 2021 boat wreck that left popular musician Frandie Martin Jr. dead.
The incident in the Sir Francis Drake Channel previously led to businessman Andrew Morrell being tried in July and found not guilty of manslaughter and all other charges.
Mr. Morrell was aboard a yacht owned by fund manager Graham Stanton when it crashed with a vessel carrying Mr. Martin and captained by Ray Brewley at 6:26 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2021, according to trial testimony.
‘Wrongful death’
Now, Mr. Martin’s widow, Judith Martin, and Mr. Brewley have lodged civil actions in the High Court against Messrs. Morrell and Stanton.
Both claimants are represented by attorney Myron Walwyn, an opposition member who represents the Sixth District in the House of Assembly.
In a claim filed four days after Mr. Morrell’s July 18 not-guilty verdict and since made public, Ms. Martin is taking action over the death of her husband.
“The two vessels collided as a result of [Mr. Morrell’s] negligence and resulted in the wrongful death of the deceased,” her claim states, adding that Mr. Stanton was the “owner and/or keeper” of the yacht and Mr. Morrell was its helmsman at the time of the collision.
In a similarly worded claim filed the same day, Mr. Brewley is seeking damages for “personal injuries” against Messrs. Morrell and Stanton.
Criminal trial
In Mr. Morrell’s criminal trial in the summer, a nine-person jury took about two hours to reach a not-guilty verdict.
Afterwards, the businessman told the Beacon, “I am grateful that justice has prevailed. I never felt like I was in the wrong here. I remain mindful that someone lost their life. I am very sad about that. But very, very relieved.”
During the two-week trial, Mr. Morrell consistently denied causing the collision, testifying that he was near the helm of the yacht Blue Bayou but not at the wheel. The court heard that Mr. Stanton was using the toilet at the time.
Mr. Morrell also testified that the boat was on autopilot and he had not touched the throttle or steering wheel before it collided with the boat carrying Mr. Martin and two other people minutes later.
The businessman, who described himself as an experienced sailor, said that under international regulations the Blue Bayou had right of way at the time of the collision and the boat captained by Mr. Brewley, the Yeya, should have given way.
Mr. Stanton, a fund manager, testified at the start of the trial via video link from Switzerland, telling the court that he had left the scene after the crash because his wife was injured and he believed the Yeya had slipped its mooring and had no one aboard.