this was emailed to me by a ship mate. 2 years fighting and the prick still gets away with it. I was present that night, until the guy flipped out and ran off. what to do? looked for over 30 minutes and decided he was a grown man and could find his way back home. (he is older than I). anyway, his story changed several times and the other witnesses, (myself and 3 shipmates, 2 cop, 1 agent, captain, bosun, and some other 'tards, all said the same thing, the guy got stupid and smacked a cop on the back of the head in another country. (stupid in any country). anyway. I think I'm through venting for now....
deepwater
oh yeah, you'll like the story as it was written... full of bs and sensationalism.
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 22, 2010
PORTSMOUTH
A Circuit Court jury Wednesday awarded $25 million to a former Maersk Line Ltd. seaman who said he was raped by South Korean police during shore leave in 2008 and that the company was negligent under maritime law and did not give him necessary medical care.
The 50-year-old Mathews County man, who is not named because The Virginian-Pilot does not identify alleged rape victims, said he was fired under the pretext of intoxication. He had sued for $50 million.
James L. Chapman, an attorney for the plaintiff, said he was grateful for the jury's service and that jurors recognized "the harm that had been done by this company." The jury awarded $20 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
After the verdict, the captain, James Walker, said he was disappointed. "There's absolutely no evidence that this happened to this man."
During the trial, the plaintiff testified that while on shore leave, he was punched, choked and repeatedly knocked unconscious by men who appeared to be police officers. He said they forced him to drink alcohol and that three of the men raped him.
He said that after returning to his ship, the Maersk Rhode Island, he told the captain about the incident and that he needed medical care but was instructed to go to his stateroom.
Medical experts hired by the plaintiff's attorney had testified that he exhibited signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, but a psychologist retained by Maersk attorneys said it was likely the plaintiff was malingering - faking or exaggerating symptoms for personal gain.
The plaintiff never reported a sexual assault and refused medical treatment, Walker testified. He said the plaintiff "smelled of alcohol" and said "yes" after being asked whether he was intoxicated.
Walker said he terminated the seaman for intoxication on ship, a violation of policy and a safety breach. He testified the plaintiff was taken to a hospital that same day.
The lead attorney for Maersk Line Ltd. could not be reached by phone for comment.