Crew Guilty of Mutiny, Murder
Two shrimp boat crewmen were found guilty today of violent revolt on the high seas, murdering their captain and assaulting the first mate in the first case of civilian mutiny since World War II.
The U.S. District Court jury deliberated less than four hours before finding William Rector, 21, and Billy Gossett Jr., 24, guilty of murder, conspiracy, mutiny and assault with intent to kill. Each defendant had blamed the other for the murder of Capt. Philip Roush, 28, and the assault on first mate Willie Charpentier the night of July 29 as the Tampa shrimper Leslie Rae was anchored 26 miles off Cape Canaveral. The two face life in prison.
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