Skipper on trial in fatal Ore. fishing boat wreck
By Associated PressTILLAMOOK, Ore. (AP) — A skipper who was at the helm of a fishing boat when it crashed two years ago on a jetty is on trial in Tillamook County. Kirk Opheim is charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of a crew member. He also is charged with recklessly endangering another person and boating under the influence of methamphetamine. Jurors heard opening arguments Tuesday, and the trial is expected to last through next week. Opheim was on a 58-foot boat called the Starrigavan in January 2007 when it headed over the Tillamook Bay bar. It was hit by a 25-foot wave and Opheim had just enough time to radio for help when two more waves struck. The boat rolled three times before ending up on the Tillamook jetty. Crewman Ken "Skinny" Venard of Newport, died after the crew was rescued. (Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.) |
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