Defense attorney says video evidence contradicts accusers
The confrontation began on the morning of July 29 when Coffer was aboard a vessel preparing to search for lobsters underwater and another boat — a 28-foot Conch-brand vessel — pulled up and circled the area multiple times, according to the Miami-Dade sheriff’s report. People on the Conch vessel argued that their fishing spot had been taken by those on Coffer’s boat, including the watercraft’s owner, Steven Del Sol.
A second, larger 39-foot Contender-brand boat allied with the Conch vessel then arrived as the argument continued and Coffer descended into the water while connected to the surface-supplied breathing apparatus. Del Sol warned a juvenile diver from the Contender vessel to stay away from Coffer’s breathing equipment because it was in use, the report said.
According to the report, Simpson responded angrily: “I’ll turn the Brownie off if I want to!” The report alleged that Simpson then swam to the third lung, deliberately switched it off, and cut off Coffer’s air supply. Witnesses were present, the report said, and at least one person shouted: “We have a diver down there, you asshole!”
Del Sol jumped into the water and pulled Coffer to the surface using the air hose, according to the report. Coffer was gasping for air, disoriented, and entangled in the hose and a boat anchor line when he surfaced, the report said. A cellphone picture and video taken by a witness allegedly showed Simpson “swimming rapidly away from … the Brownie after it was shut off.” Simpson then departed on the Contender boat accompanied by the Conch vessel, the sheriff’s office said.
Del Sol reported the incident to the sheriff’s office. Simpson’s attorneys arranged for him to surrender on Aug. 4 to officers at Turner Guilford Knight correctional center, where he was booked and later released after posting a $10,000 surety bond. Coffer’s age was not listed in the sheriff’s report, but news outlets reported it as 18.
Simpson’s defense attorney, Howard Srebnick, issued a statement Thursday calling the allegations “false.” Srebnick said his client “never disabled anyone’s diving equipment” and that video footage “corroborates that one of the accusers fell off their boat and became entangled in the third-lung device while Mr Simpson was nowhere near it.”
Srebnick also disputed the characterization that Simpson fled the scene, saying he “wisely putt-putted away from the immediate vicinity at idle speed (captured on video) — rather than allow the situation to escalate — and positioned his vessel nearby.” Srebnick said Simpson cooperated with and gave a statement to Florida fish and wildlife commission officers who responded to the confrontation.
“Numerous eyewitnesses on two separate boats corroborate Simpson and directly contradict the accusers’ false allegations,” Srebnick said, adding that the sheriff’s office “decided to arrest rather than interview all the exculpatory eyewitnesses.” Srebnick expressed optimism that state prosecutors would decline to file formal charges.
Simpson served on a boating safety council, Srebnick said, adding that his client had “devoted his life to boating safety” and “earned a reputation as one of south Florida’s safest and most responsible boaters.” No further details about the children Simpson was with that day were provided in the report or the attorney’s statement.