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20 years

Sportfishing captain to face negligent homicide trial in death of US tourists

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David and Carole Mahnke. (ICR archive)

David and Carole Mahnke. (ICR archive)

September 22nd, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) After more than nine years, a sportfishing captain will stand trial on charges of negligent homicide in the death of a U.S. couple.

 

The trial will begin tomorrow at 8:30am and ten witnesses are expected to testify.

 

According to prosecutors, the couple, identified as David and Carole Mahnke from the US state of Texas, hired the captain, identified by the last name Alvarez, through a tour company on May 4th, 2005.  The couple had planned to go sportfishing in Playa El Rey de Aguirre.

 

Prosecutors allege that the captain instead took the couple to the mouth of the Savegre River, an area known by the captain as being particularly dangerous for small vessels.

 

The boat was hit by a series of strong waves, ultimately capsizing the vessel and sending the couple, the captain, and a crew member into the rough seas.  The captain and crew member were able to survive the incident, but the Mahnkes drowned.  Neither was wearing a life jacket, as regulation requires.

 

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  • disgusted

    NINE YEARS! Enough said.CR Justice………. So sad about Mr. & Mrs Mahnke.

    • Yeims

      I strongly represent your implying we ticos are slow!

      • disgusted

        You and I could have investigated this in a couple of days. Presented a denuncio to the courts with in the first few weeks. I guess courts or someone figure this would just go away. Now, the dog and pony show “‘who shot john” . I suspect no one will be held accountable 9 yrs memory fades. However, not for the victims families who grieve on and on.

  • Michael Clarkson

    Somebody pressured the CR government to press charges otherwise this story would have gotten buried like many other tourists deaths and we still have the circus trial to look forward to. This is the stuff the ICT fails to say in their great marketing campaign. Basically a tourist has no protection if killed or raped you are on your own.

  • Ken Morris

    Since the issue has been raised, I’d be interested in knowing why it has taken 9 years to bring this to trial.

    The courts aren’t this backlogged, and for years I’ve heard that the usual winning strategy in court cases is for a lawyer to delay the case long enough for most of the witnesses (and maybe the defendants) to die, as well as long enough for most of the evidence to get lost. This looks like what’s going on here, and in fact the delay may not be over. Assuming a guilty verdict, after all, we can probably assume an appeal.

    Anyone know if this is what’s going on and how the lawyer has managed it? Actually, if you know the lawyer’s name and contact info, please pass it along. This is the lawyer I want to hire if I ever get into a jam!

  • Oliver Wendell Holmes

    9 years is too long. Bad for business.On the other hand, People need to be more aware and better prepared for whatever activities they are to get involved in on their vacation. If you are out of shape, and either can´t swim, or are not strong swimmers, then in the least wear a life jacket! To rely on a local fisherman-at a bargain price- to have all the skills to protect you is probably not being wise. Condolences to the family

  • HONEST MAN

    Nine years to get into this case. Costa Rican goverment is more corupt than the Mafia. I take the mafia anyday over the corupt CR goverment. Police in CR are worse than ever they steal everyday.

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