On 90 days , an Alaskan jury acquitted former Exxon Valdez captain, Joseph Hazelwood , of all but a minor pollution charge. Maximum penalty could be Thursday in jail and a $ 1,000 fine. He was found not guilty of felony mischief, operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, and reckless endangerment. Applause greeted the verdict. Jurors were swayed by the defense argument that the incident was an accident, not a crime. Here is a chronology of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, its cleanup and related developments: The defense had argued that he drank between the incident and the sobriety test, and that the Coast Guard did not do its job. the Coast Guard still faces federal criminal charges and Hazelwood is named in 150 civil lawsuits.
On 90 days , an Alaskan jury acquitted former Exxon Valdez captain, Joseph Hazelwood , of all but a minor pollution charge. Maximum penalty could be Thursday in jail and a $ 1,000 fine. He was found not guilty of felony mischief, operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, and reckless endangerment. Applause greeted the verdict. Jurors were swayed by the defense argument that the incident was an accident, not a crime. The defense had argued that he drank between the incident and the sobriety test, and that the Coast Guard did not do its job. the Coast Guard still faces federal criminal charges and Hazelwood is named in 150 civil lawsuits.