Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/226269
8B Daily News – Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Judge tosses some charges in BP supervisors' case NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge agreed Tuesday to dismiss some of the manslaughter charges against two BP supervisors in the deaths of 11 workers when the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval Jr. ruled that charging rig supervisors Robert Kaluza and Donald Vidrine with 11 counts of ''seaman's manslaughter'' exceeded the intended scope of the statute in connection with their job duties as ''well site leaders'' on the rig that exploded in April 2010, prompting the nation's worst offshore oil spill. But Duval refused to dismiss 11 other counts of involuntary manslaughter that Kaluza and Vidrine were charged with last year in a 23-count indictment. Their trial on the remaining counts is scheduled to start in June 2014. Prosecutors claim Kaluza and Vidrine botched a key safety test and disregarded abnormally high pressure readings that were glaring signs of trouble before the blowout of energy company BP's Macondo well. The blowout triggered an explosion that killed the 11 workers and led to millions of gallons of crude spewing into the Gulf. Lawyers for Kaluza and Vidrine argued that the seaman's manslaughter charges don't apply to their clients because, as well site leaders, they weren't responsible for marine operations, mainte- nance or navigation of the rig. During a hearing in September, a Justice Department prosecutor maintained that anyone responsible for the safety of the vessel or its crew fits within the scope of the statute. Duval said no court has previously addressed whether the 175-year-old statute applies in a prosecution related to a drilling rig blowout. The judge said he recognizes the ''soundness'' of the government's argument that these blowouts pose risks and safety concerns similar to steamboat explo- sions of the 19th and 20th centuries. ''The risk of explosion onboard deepwater drilling facilities is a grave matter. Yet, it is for Congress to include such types of disasters within the scope of (the statute), and this Court refuses to expand the scope of the statute unnecessarily without certainty as to Congress' intent to do so,'' he wrote. Kaluza and Vidrine also face one count of violating the Clean Water Act. Duval hasn't ruled on a separate request to dismiss that count. Gift Event & Craft Boutique Saturday 12/14, 9-1 during the market Finish your shopping with us! First 50 customers receive a complimentary gift basket to fill with purchases Celebrate the season with us - enjoy live holiday music & holiday edibles too! Frontier Village 645 Antelope Blvd Farmers Market (across from the Tehama District Fairgrounds) at Frontier Village www.frontiervillagefarmersmarket.com TEHAMA CROSS TRAINING is coming to Tehama Family Fitness Center! Tehama Cross Training is a full body strength and conditioning program taught by strength and conditioning specialists, as well as Physical Therapists and CrossFit certified instructors. These evidence based workouts are designed to be motivating and will give you results faster than traditional workout programs. By using functional mobility exercises scaled to your fitness level, TEHAMA CROSS TRAINING will prepare you for the physical demands of everyday life. This exclusive form of strength and conditioning will be available for members and nonmembers beginning in mid to late December. We anticipate the completion of our functional fitness court by Christmas. What a great gift, The gift of Health! Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St. Red Bluff 530 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com