Federal Judge Recuses Himself from Pirate Case
January 17, 2012
Byline: Associated Press
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A case involving the hijacking of a yacht owned by a Marina del Rey couple that left four Americans dead will be transferred to another judge. U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis has recused himself from the case.
The Virginian-Pilot reported that Davis told defense lawyers before the Christmas holiday that he recently learned the Navy transferred the yacht Quest to a marina that is partially owned by his brother. The government will pay the marina for the yacht’s storage and upkeep until the victims’ relatives can retrieve it.
Eleven men have pleaded guilty to piracy in the February hijacking off the coast of Africa. Three others face murder charges.
