New Trial Ordered In Deadly Exuma Boat Explosion Case

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Tour boat captain Roderick Watson will face a second trial on charges of manslaughter by negligence and negligently causing harm. 

The Court of Appeal ordered a second trial for Watson in connection with a June 30, 2018 explosion in Exuma that killed an American tourist and seriously injured four others.

Watson is accused of manslaughter by negligence in the death of Maleka Jackson. He’s also accused of negligently causing harm to Jackson’s husband, Tiran, Stephanie Schaffer, Stacy Bender and Paul Bender.

Watson, who was at the helm of the ill-fated Four C’s Adventures boat,  was acquitted of the charges at the close of the prosecution’s case last November. However, the DPP appealed the judge’s decision to  withdraw the case from the jury.

On the other hand, the Appeal Court found that the trial judge was correct in finding that tour company owner Clayton Smith didn’t  have a case to charges of manslaughter by negligence and negligently endangering a vessel:

Prosecutors alleged that Smith built the boat with inferior materials and allowed Watson to captain the boat, although he didn’t hold a captain’s license.

The appellate court found that Smith couldn’t be held responsible for the explosion as he was not present when it occurred.

Concerning Watson, the court said, “With respect to Watson, the prosecution has adduced direct as well as circumstantial evidence that he drove the boat in a reckless manner, and he been vigilant, he would have discovered that the fuel tank had a leak that caused the explosion and resulted in the unfortunate death of Maleka Jackson by unlawful harm.”