Get a grip. No one is out to get Dinius...what the justice system requires is that HE take responsibility for operating a boat under the influence. While under the influence he CHOSE to operate that boat without appropriate lighting.

Yes, sails have the right of way over powered boats....but the powered boat has to be able to SEE the sailed boat first.

That is exactly the point in a nutshell.
Now it is up to a jury to decide if the DA proves that the facts support a conviction or not. I expect a Lake County jury will be more impartial than someone who thinks he knows the facts from his vantage point on Long Island.

:wink: allow for the information we glean locally to be read all over this great big world so unless you are privy to something the rest of us aren't inov8tiv he is as qualified as anyone to post. If you've read any of the Sailing magazines this case is a big topic all over the world. Smile for the cameras Lake County! There seems to be quite a body of contradictory evidence regarding the lights - that indeed is for the jury to sort out. No matter the verdict I do believe it all could have been handled better so as to avoid doubt in the general public as to the actions of their local officials/public servants.

What we have here is a prime example of power inbreding. Thoses that think they are smarter,brighter and quicker than us that pay.Thay see themselfs as the special among us destine to be our overseers.They use abuse at will, government for and by them without understanding the arrogance with the misuse of government. The bill of rights or amendments are no more than stepping stones to abridge rights,to pass laws or have a oath that has little truth with reality. They will lie ,cheat,cover up,violate rights and a legal controling authority needs to find a statute. God help us this government isn't. That is why Mr.Dinius will be sacrificed to save one of their own. Should Mr Dinius prevail the amount of money spent to check the wrong has no accountabilty for Hopkins.To charge one and not the other is the problem.Mr dinius is to have all responsiblty for the womans death? I will say this again if that power boat was going at a speed consistent with the light it would only be a bump in the dark.

A person is dead! who is responsible? The person at the tiller of a sailboat with conflicting reports if there were lights on or not. Or on the other hand a powerboat moving faster than the conditions for night with the same conflicting light reports. So we would say the sailboat person was drunk and all blame is his as if the powerboat is only a figment with no real outcome why that person is dead. Right,and two wrongs donot make that right.

Maybe some things are better called an accident. Does someone really need to be prosecuted for Murder? Does anyone out there actually consider either party a murderer? How do we benefit? How much does this trial/investigation cost?

Get a grip. No one is out to get Dinius...what the justice system requires is that HE take responsibility for operating a boat under the influence. While under the influence he CHOSE to operate that boat without appropriate lighting.

Yes, sails have the right of way over powered boats....but the powered boat has to be able to SEE the sailed boat first.

There are many witnesses who saw Nav lights and/or cabin lights that night.

Speed too fast for conditions in breach of Nav Rule 6 is the cause of death here.

End of story.