Posted: Monday, March 3, 2025. 7:23 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A jury has found boat captain Jessie James Smith not guilty of causing death by careless conduct in connection with the tragic death of 17-year-old American student Logan Ceylon Pratt. The verdict was delivered unanimously by a panel of nine jurors—five women and four men—after over four hours of deliberation in the High Court before Justice Derick Sylvester.
Pratt, an Oklahoma City native, lost her life while swimming off the coast of San Pedro on February 14, 2023. A post-mortem examination revealed that she died from hypovolemic shock due to external bleeding caused by multiple sharp injuries consistent with a boat propeller. Smith, then 30 years old, was charged six months later following an investigation by Belizean authorities.
The trial, which began on February 24, 2025, lasted a week. Smith, a resident of San Pedro, was represented by attorney Audrey Matura. During the proceedings, Smith testified that he did not see Pratt before the accident and that she had been swimming in an area where boats regularly traverse. He also maintained that he had done everything he could to prevent such an incident. A urine sample taken from Smith following the accident tested negative for alcohol or drugs.
The facts of the case presented during the trial indicated that on February 14, 2023, around 3:04 p.m., police responded to the Ambergris Hope Clinic, where they discovered Pratt’s motionless body. She had sustained deep cuts and abrasions, which her mother later identified. Smith had been operating a 25-foot fiberglass skiff named Mathew, owned by Belize Pro Dive Center Ltd., when he allegedly struck Pratt near Maya Chica Resort while returning from a tour at Mexico Rocks.
Smith initially reported that he believed the boat had hit a log but later realized a swimmer was injured in the water. Pratt was transported to Ambergris Hope Clinic, where she was pronounced dead at 3:00 p.m.
Authorities, including the Belize Port Authority, investigated the accident, taking GPS readings and measurements of the water depth at various distances from shore. Their findings led to the eventual charge against Smith, who was indicted on a single count of causing death by careless conduct. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) instructed police to pursue the charge nearly two years after the incident.
Following his acquittal, Smith appeared visibly relieved as he exited the courtroom to reunite with his family. While the prosecution presented its case based on forensic and circumstantial evidence, the jury ultimately determined there was insufficient proof of Smith’s negligence.
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The post Jessie Smith acquitted in 2023 death of American teen Logan Pratt in San Pedro appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, March 3, 2025. 7:23 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: A jury has found boat captain Jessie James Smith not guilty of causing
The post Jessie Smith acquitted in 2023 death of American teen Logan Pratt in San Pedro appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
