A Navy choose has dominated a sailor was not responsible of setting a hearth that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego in 2020. The ruling Friday got here after a nine-day trial at Naval Base San Diego.
"Seaman Recruit Mays was discovered not responsible on the fees of willful hazarding of a vessel and aggravated arson. The Navy is dedicated to upholding the rules of due course of and a good trial," mentioned Lt. Samuel R. Boyle, spokesman for U.S third Fleet.
Prosecutors charged then-19-year-old Ryan Sawyer Mays with arson and the willful hazarding of a ship and accused him of igniting cardboard packing containers in a decrease automobile storage space.
There isn't a bodily proof, nevertheless, tying Mays to the hearth on the ship, which was docked and present process upkeep at the moment.
A Navy report final 12 months concluded the hearth that destroyed the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship was preventable and unacceptable and that there have been lapses in coaching, coordination, communications, hearth preparedness, tools upkeep and total command and management.
Greater than 20 senior officers and sailor had been disciplined in reference to the incident.