Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer Blog
While a cruise ship voyage can be a dream vacation, accidents and crime may occur. Just recently, Gary Stevenson, 27 years of age, admitted he stabbed a cruise ship worker, Katy Bourke, three times because she refused to have sex with him. Mr. Stevenson, a hard drinker, essentially snapped and fatally attacked her. Before the stabbings, Stevenson punched her repeatedly in the face and put his hands around her throat. After killing her, Stevenson then cut his wrists in a fake suicide attempt. Officers discovered Bourke’s naked body next to her bed near a large kitchen-knife. The officers were notified by Katy’s friends when she failed to show up for work.
If you or a loved one is a victim of a crime at sea, it is important that an experienced maritime lawyer is retained for your case. Cruise ship companies have their own lawyers who work for them following an incident and so should you. The Miami cruise ship lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, PA provide high quality legal representation. For more information call us toll free at 1-877-475-2905 or contact us online.
The Basics of Murder
Murder is defined as the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. Murder in the first degree occurs when:
- The perpetrator kills a person by means of poison, lying in wait, or any other kind of willful, deliberate, malicious, and premeditated killing;
- The perpetrator commits in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, any arson, escape, murder, kidnapping, treason, espionage, sabotage, aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse, child abuse, burglary, or robbery;
- The perpetrator commits as part of a pattern or practice of assault or torture against a child or children;
- The perpetrator commits from a premeditated design unlawfully and maliciously to effect the death of any human being other than him who is killed.
Basically, any other murder is murder in the second degree. Within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, if a person is found guilty of murder in the first degree, he or she shall be punished by death or by life in prison. If, on the other hand, a person is found guilty of murder in the second degree, he or she shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life.
As used above, the term “special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States” includes the following:
- The high seas, any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States and any vessel of the United States;
- Any vessel that is registered, enrolled under, or licensed under United States laws and engaged in a voyage upon waters of the Great Lakes, or any connecting waters, or upon waters of the Saint Lawrence River; or
- Any lands that are reserved or used by the United States and in the jurisdiction of the United States.
Hire an Attorney for Your Case to Ensure Adequate Compensation
If you or a loved one is a victim of a crime on a cruise ship, it is imperative that you hire an attorney for your case. The Miami maritime lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, PA have the experience and knowledge needed to protect you. Our firm specializes representing crime victims at sea. At Gerson & Schwartz, PA all of our lawyers licensed to practice law in all Florida state and federal courts. We provide aggressive quality legal representation. For more information and a FREE consultation call us toll free at 1-877-475-2905 or contact us online.