A man arrested on murder charges after authorities said he intentionally shut off a diver’s air supply said it’s all “a complete misunderstanding.”
Michael Simpson, 51, is accused of turning off the “brownie” device, which provides air to divers under water, while it was connected to a man underwater July 29. The incident happened during Florida’s two-day recreational mini lobster season.
According to Simpson’s arrest report, a boat he was on approached the victim’s boat at a high-rate of speed and began circling it. A verbal dispute ensued with the occupants on Simpson’s vessel claiming the victim’s boat was “in their spot.” Simpson allegedly yelled he would turn off the victim’s access to air, “if I wanted to,” the police report stated.
Florida man says he didn’t intentionally turn off diver’s air supply
In an
interview with 7NEWS, Simpson, 51, said the allegations are not true.
“It’s a complete misunderstanding,” Simpson said in an interview with 7NEWS. “One-hundred percent no. Why would I intentionally turn off a compressor with somebody possibly on the bottom, breathing?”
Simpson said a man from the other boat began yelling that his group was too close to their breathing device. At the same time, cellphone video shows a person from the other boat swimming near the device.
“He’s holding the rope attached to the brownie,” said Simpson.
Simpson claims that man pulled the rope attached to the breathing device.
“He kind of gives it a little bit of a tug, like the motor just went, boom,” said Simpson, signaling that it shut down.
Simpson believes the tugging of the rope attached to the device is what caused it to be turned off, also leading to the man falling into the water.
Fellow divers on the victim’s boat recorded the incident, which they said is proof Simpson committed a crime. Simpson said in the interview with 7NEWS that the video, taken while it was still dark outside, only shows him and his two sons swimming back to their boat.
What was man charged with following diver’s oxygen supply being cut off?
Originally Simpson was charged with attempted murder, but a judge reduced it to attempted second-degree murder.
Simpson plans to plead not guilty. Messages were left with his attorney by USA Today Network for comment.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: '100% no,' says Florida man accused of shutting lobster diver's air supply
