ONE Condor crew member has been cleared of manslaughter following the fatal L’Ecume II collision that killed three fishermen in 2022 – but jurors are yet to come to a decision on his co-accused.
After 18 hours and five minutes of deliberation, the jury yesterday found Artur Sevash-Zade (35) not guilty of three manslaughter charges relating to the deaths of the three fishermen on board the fishing trawler.
But jurors are still considering the manslaughter charges against his fellow Commodore Goodwill crew member Lewis Carr (30).
Both men also face a lesser alternative charge of conduct endangering individuals, ships or structures under the Shipping (Jersey) Law 2002.
The jury reconvened this morning to consider the rest of the charges.
L’Ecume II crew members Michael Michieli, Larry Simyunn and Jervis Baligat all died when the Commodore Goodwill collided with their trawler in December 2022.
Mr Sevash-Zade and Mr Carr were the only people on the helm of the Condor ship at the time of the crash, which prompted a major search-and-rescue operation involving a number of agencies and members of the fishing community.
The bodies of Mr Simyunn and Mr Baligat were recovered near the wreck. Mr Michieli’s body was recovered some months later in a room below deck.
The trial has lasted three weeks, and jurors have been deliberating since Tuesday morning.
Commissioner Sir John Saunders is presiding.
