Hearing begins on deadly Coast Guard crash - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Hearing begins on deadly Coast Guard crash

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The military equivalent of a preliminary hearing began Tuesday for three Coast Guard officers charged in a deadly San Diego Bay boat crash.

Petty Officers Paul Ramos, Ian Howell and Brittany Rasmussen face charges including aggravated assault after their Coast Guard vessel crashed during a nighttime boat parade last December. Eight-year-old Anthony DeWeese was killed, and four others were seriously injured.

The hearing at the Coast Guard's district headquarters in Alameda began Tuesday afternoon and is scheduled to last four days.

At the outset, attorneys for the defendants argued that each should receive a separate hearing. Government lawyers want to try the three together. The defense teams also say the hearing should be moved to San Diego to make it easier for witnesses to attend.

The victim's mother, Caroline DeWeese, said at Tuesday's hearing that she would not testify during the proceedings. The boy's father, Alan DeWeese, did not attend but was among the 20 witnesses expected to testify.

Alan DeWeese had just finished watching a fireworks display when he saw the Coast Guard vessel racing straight at him in crowded San Diego Bay. He turned the boat but not in time to avoid the vessel crushing his son to death.

At the end of the proceedings, an investigating officer will recommend whether the defendants should be court-martialed. The final decision rests with the district commander.

The hearing for a fourth officer charged in the crash has been postponed.