Lawyer Defends 38-Year-Old Charged in Hawaiian Monk Seal Case, Disputes Intent to Harm
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 18
Lawyer Defends 38-Year-Old Charged in Hawaiian Monk Seal Case, Disputes Intent to Harm
5 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 18
Igor Lytvynchuk’s lawyer said the Washington businessman did not intend to injure the endangered Hawaiian monk seal he is accused of hitting with a rock on Maui on May 5.
Breiner said Lytvynchuk was trying to scare the seal away from sea turtles on shoreline rocks and was influenced by past encounters with aggressive sea lions while fishing in Washington state.
Federal prosecutors charged the 38-year-old last week under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act after a viral video and witness accounts identified him near Seattle.
Each charge carries up to 1 year in prison, with potential fines of $50,000 under the ESA and $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Breiner said his client will take responsibility for breaking the law but disputed witness claims that he boasted he was rich enough to pay any fines.
He claimed he was protecting turtles. Can this 'good intention' defense overcome the video evidence in federal court?
Will a viral video finally change how Hawaii prosecutes crimes against its most endangered seals?