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Staten Island Ferry Captain Misses Hearing
Aired November 05, 2003 - 13:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The clamor for answers in the Staten Island Ferry crash is expected to be met with silence today. The ferry captain who's been less than cooperative with investigators is apparently skipping out of a federal hearing today. CNN's Deborah Feyerick is following the developments from New York -- Deb.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, Captain Michael Gansas once again defying federal investigators. He's refusing to answer questions about the crash that left ten people dead.
He's under order to show up in federal court to explain why he defied an earlier subpoena demanding he speak to NTSB investigators. Another person, not Gansas, was piloting the ship when it hit the pier. But his lawyer says Captain Gansas, that he is suffering from acute stress disorder and that a doctor who's treating the captain has told him he shouldn't testify right now for health reasons.
The lawyer also says this afternoon's hearing is a civil action, not one requiring the presence of his client. Federal prosecutors see it differently. A spokesman says he must appear, that there's been no request or permission granted excusing his presence.
Now this after very big news yesterday. The head of the city's transportation department says a crew member testified that the captain was not near the pilot house when the ferry crashed, as his lawyer has alleged. Though the assistant captain was piloting the ferry, city code requires the captain be there when the ferry docks. The crew member also contradicted statements by that assistant captain. His lawyer had said he passed out while at the controls.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IRIS WEINSHALL, NYC TRANSPORTATION COMM.: Gansas came into the pilot house after the ship had hit the pier. And Captain Smith was attempting to get control of the boat and Captain Gansas then came in and took control of the ship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: There are four separate investigations under way, all trying to determine why the ferry never slowed, and where exactly was the captain and the assistant captain. Grand juries will soon here evidence to decide whether both men should be tried on criminal charges -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Deborah Feyerick, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 5, 2003 - 13:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The clamor for answers in the Staten Island Ferry crash is expected to be met with silence today. The ferry captain who's been less than cooperative with investigators is apparently skipping out of a federal hearing today. CNN's Deborah Feyerick is following the developments from New York -- Deb.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, Captain Michael Gansas once again defying federal investigators. He's refusing to answer questions about the crash that left ten people dead.
He's under order to show up in federal court to explain why he defied an earlier subpoena demanding he speak to NTSB investigators. Another person, not Gansas, was piloting the ship when it hit the pier. But his lawyer says Captain Gansas, that he is suffering from acute stress disorder and that a doctor who's treating the captain has told him he shouldn't testify right now for health reasons.
The lawyer also says this afternoon's hearing is a civil action, not one requiring the presence of his client. Federal prosecutors see it differently. A spokesman says he must appear, that there's been no request or permission granted excusing his presence.
Now this after very big news yesterday. The head of the city's transportation department says a crew member testified that the captain was not near the pilot house when the ferry crashed, as his lawyer has alleged. Though the assistant captain was piloting the ferry, city code requires the captain be there when the ferry docks. The crew member also contradicted statements by that assistant captain. His lawyer had said he passed out while at the controls.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IRIS WEINSHALL, NYC TRANSPORTATION COMM.: Gansas came into the pilot house after the ship had hit the pier. And Captain Smith was attempting to get control of the boat and Captain Gansas then came in and took control of the ship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: There are four separate investigations under way, all trying to determine why the ferry never slowed, and where exactly was the captain and the assistant captain. Grand juries will soon here evidence to decide whether both men should be tried on criminal charges -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Deborah Feyerick, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
