Mistrial declared in 2022 Florida Keys parasailing death case as jury can’t reach verdict 

A mistrial was declared for a Florida Keys boat captain charged in a 2022 parasailing incident that left a woman dead after a federal jury failed to reach a verdict,…

A mistrial was declared for a Florida Keys boat captain charged in a 2022 parasailing incident that left a woman dead after a federal jury failed to reach a verdict, court records showed.

The mistrial was declared on Monday after the jury became deadlocked in the trial of Daniel Gavin Couch, who was facing one count of seaman’s manslaughter in the death of 33-year-old Supraja Alaparthi.

The case was expected to be reset for a new trial, the court records said.

Alaparthi was parasailing with her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew back on May 30, 2022, when the winds picked up and slammed them into the old Seven Mile Bridge west of Marathon, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said.

Supraja Alaparthi

With the parasail pegged, the boat captain cut the line tethered to the three victims, an FWC report said. They were dropped from an unknown height and were dragged through the surface of the water until the parasail collided with the bridge.

Alaparthi died from her injuries, but the children survived.

According to the federal indictment, Couch “engaged in misconduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties as captain, causing the death of a passenger.”

Couch pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Couch also faces a state manslaughter charge in the incident, and that case is still pending.

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