People v. Dawson

Opinion

RICHMAN, J.

We see, yet again, the tragic consequences that can result from the mixture of boating and alcohol—here, the death of Mark Spier.

Defendant William Russell Dawson was charged with five crimes, two of which were felonies: vessel manslaughter while intoxicated and unlawful operation of a vessel while intoxicated resulting in bodily injury. The charges stemmed from the death of Spier who, himself very intoxicated, jumped off the back of a boat as defendant put the boat in reverse, struck the propeller and died instantly. Following a preliminary hearing, the magistrate declined…