Update On The Duck Boat Accident:The Tug Boat Mate Takes The 5th- Is He Guilty?
His reason for exercising his 5th Amendment right against self incrimination does not necessarily mean he has criminal culpability. What it does mean is that his lawyers informed and advised him that whatever he discusses with the NTSB could be used against him, not just in a criminal hearing having to do with the deaths of two of the passengers, but also in the civil case that is sure to be filed. That's a corporate and insurance issue.The tug's owner, K-Sea Transportation Partners of East Brunswick, N.J. and their liability carrier are paying for the defense of their employees in the current legal proceedings. Whether we, the public, like it or not, they have an interest in insulating their employees in a way that protects K-Sea's and the insurance carrier's bottom line.
Here's a recent TV interview from fellow personal injury attorney Ken Rothweiler of the Philadelphia law firm of Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C. which sheds more light on the issue.
