Boat captain faces lengthy jail time for fatal crash
(CNS): Sean Michael McDonald (39) is expected to be sent to jail on Wednesday, following a court hearing on Friday in relation to the sentence he will receive after being convicted last year on two charges of manslaughter and of endangering life in connection with a deadly night-time boat crash in the North Sound in August 2019.
Manuel “Manny” Brown (49), a former police officer from George Town, and his business partner, John Turner (70), a UK national living in Cayman, who were on board the Godfrey Hurricane, were both killed in the collision. Shamilla Wright, who was also on board, suffered life-changing injuries.
When McDonald appeared before Justice Cheryll Richards last week, the crown suggested a sentencing range of six to twelve years, while the defence argued for a range of three to seven years. Richards adjourned the case Friday to give her time to consider the submissions made by prosecutor Richard Matthews KC and defence lawyer Ben Tonner KC.
Richards said the evidence at trial from the GPS had demonstrated a pattern of dangerous behaviour and speeding that day by McDonald, who had accelerated to around 50mph just minutes before the collision, in which the Pepper Jelly, a white 32-foot Scarab captained by McDonald, literally ran over the smaller vessel where Brown was at the helm.
The court heard how the families of Brown and Turner were still devastated by the death of their loved ones. Beyond the bereavement, one of the families had lost the main breadwinner and was forced to sell the family home.
According to the social inquiry report, although he still did not accept that he was criminally responsible for what happened, McDonald had demonstrated significant remorse and had expressed a wish to trade places with those who lost their lives. Tonner told the court that his client, who was also injured in the crash, now suffers from depression and was genuinely sorry for the tragic loss, with friends describing him as a shadow of his former self since the collision. He also submitted a significant number of character witnesses to the court.
Despite the certainty that McDonald will be going to jail, he was bailed until Wednesday morning, when Justice Richards is scheduled to deliver her sentencing ruling.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
According to the sentences, 2 negligent boating deaths plus a serious injury equal 4.65kilos of cocaine. One of these sentences is wrong.
Is deportation after sentence served, in order for this character?
not being specific of course but speaking in generality people who show no remorse for their actions, continue to be involved in nefarious activities and associate with known criminals whilst on bail should have the book thrown at them when it comes to sentencing.
By what mechanism of justice do they qualify for bail in the Cayman Islands?
north sound too dangerous to boat there…ppl get drunk at rum point ..get behind wheel and go home at mach 1 during sunset…i have witnessed it!
20 plus years for him! Killed two persons, maimed one (now has PTSD), two families destroyed, fatherless child and he tried to flee on a West Jet flight three months after the accident!
He should be sent to jail for 20 years as he killed two persons and took away a father of younger children who have suffered because of his carelessness.
3.5 years to reflect on this tragic carnage, and still doesn’t accept culpability. Let’s hope the court sets a meaningful sentencing precedent to get our reckless nocturnal boat/jetski operators to sober/grow up. Coast guard isn’t going to secure our waters by patrolling or ticketing, that seems pretty clear.
It took almost three years. That is not justice.
3.5. Four years this coming August
That part is on the system, not him.