A sailor charged in connection with starting a fire that destroyed a Navy warship while it was docked in San Diego has been found not guilty
Seaman Recruit Ryan Mays was acquitted on charges of willful hazarding of a vessel and aggravated arson, the Navy said in a statement, following a court martial in which a judge ruled there was not enough evidence that Mays set the fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard more than two years ago. After the judge issued the verdict, Mays collapsed on the table and sobbed, his defense attorney Gary Barthel said, feeling as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
“My take on this case from the very beginning is that it was a weak case,” Barthel said. Still, the command pushed forward with the court martial, leading to the two-week trial and, ultimately, a not guilty verdict. Barthel said the Navy needed someone to blame for a fire that destroyed an entire ship instead of acknowledging the problems on board the ship that allowed the fire to spread.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Navy carrier Nimitz sidelined in San Diego as jet fuel contaminates drinking waterFive sailors report 'health concerns' after fuel found in water almost two weeks ago
Read more »
Pacific Surfliner service suspended between Irvine, San Diego due to safety concerns in San ClementePacific Surfliner trains have been halted between Irvine and San Diego until further notice due to emergency track work in San Clemente.
Read more »
Princess Kate Stunned in a Navy Suit While Meeting Members of the Royal NavyIris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
Read more »
Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner suspended between Irvine and San Diego for emergency track repairsAmtrak's Pacific Surfliner train service was suspended Friday until further notice between Irvine and San Diego due to a track closure in San Clemente.
Read more »
Amtrak suspends service between Irvine and San DiegoAmtrak has announced it has suspended one of its major services. Effective, September 30, Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner trains will no longer operate between Irvine and San Diego.
Read more »
San Diego City Attorney seeking penalties from owner of downtown hotel declared 'public nuisance'The office on Friday announced it is suing Jack Shah Rafiq, who owns C Street Inn
Read more »