Man Charged with Attempted Murder Over Diver Air Supply

A 51-year-old Miami Beach man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder after allegedly turning off the air supply of a teenage diver during a dispute over a lobster fishing spot off Fisher Island. Michael Joseph Simpson, Jr., surrendered to authorities on August 4 and was released on a $10,000 bond following a court hearing on August 5.

The incident occurred early on the morning of July 29, during Florida's annual lobster mini-season. According to an arrest affidavit, a charter boat captained by Steven Del Sol was anchored when Simpson approached at high speed in a separate boat, circled the vessel, and anchored approximately 10 feet away. A verbal dispute began after Simpson and others on his boat claimed Del Sol was in their spot. A second boat connected to Simpson later arrived and anchored nearby.

At the time, a juvenile diver from Del Sol's boat was underwater using a surface-supplied air system, commonly called a "Brownie" or "third lung," which pumps air from a floating unit through a hose. The affidavit states Simpson grew irate during the argument and said he could turn the unit off if he wanted to. Witnesses, including the teen's parents, allege Simpson...