The release of court records concerning George A. Smith IV, a Greenwich man who vanished while on his honeymoon cruise in 2005, has been delayed as the FBI determines which portions to seal from the public.
attorney Michael Jones, who represents the Smith family: "We are hoping for them to be released in a week to 10 days. The FBI has been very carefully reviewing this matter. They are still working on the proposed redactions."
During an April hearing, lawyers and Greenwich probate court Judge David Hopper agreed they would allow the federal agencies investigating the case time to make redactions.
Nearly 2,200 pages of sealed court transcripts, documents and photos that stemmed from a probate court battle over Smith's estate were set to be released after lawyers for the Smiths and Smith's widow completed their own set of redactions.
The records, which have been sealed since 2007, include transcripts of testimony from a four-day hearing in May in which the probate court upheld a $1.1 million settlement from Royal Caribbean cruises to Smith's wife, Jennifer Hagel-Smith. George Smith's family had opposed the settlement and that case is pending in civil court.
Smith went missing July 5, 2005. His body was never recovered.
Source:
FBI deciding which portions of Smith documents to seal
More information:
Royal Caribbean Honeymoon Tragedy By Jennifer Hagel Smith
George Smith was on a Mediterranean honeymoon cruise when he vanished overnight. The only trace, a splattered pool of blood. As concern rises over the number of people who go missing from ocean liners, Elizabeth Day investigates Murder on the high seas?
attorney Michael Jones, who represents the Smith family: "We are hoping for them to be released in a week to 10 days. The FBI has been very carefully reviewing this matter. They are still working on the proposed redactions."
During an April hearing, lawyers and Greenwich probate court Judge David Hopper agreed they would allow the federal agencies investigating the case time to make redactions.
Nearly 2,200 pages of sealed court transcripts, documents and photos that stemmed from a probate court battle over Smith's estate were set to be released after lawyers for the Smiths and Smith's widow completed their own set of redactions.
The records, which have been sealed since 2007, include transcripts of testimony from a four-day hearing in May in which the probate court upheld a $1.1 million settlement from Royal Caribbean cruises to Smith's wife, Jennifer Hagel-Smith. George Smith's family had opposed the settlement and that case is pending in civil court.
Smith went missing July 5, 2005. His body was never recovered.
Source:
FBI deciding which portions of Smith documents to seal
More information:
Royal Caribbean Honeymoon Tragedy By Jennifer Hagel Smith
George Smith was on a Mediterranean honeymoon cruise when he vanished overnight. The only trace, a splattered pool of blood. As concern rises over the number of people who go missing from ocean liners, Elizabeth Day investigates Murder on the high seas?
Another case of delay, delay - an extensive file because the judge doesn't settle the litigation.
ReplyDeleteI am in shock about all the sealed documents! Nearly 2200 pages???
ReplyDeleteCome on! This just isn't right. What are they hiding?
My inquiring mind wants to know what is going on here?
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how this case plays out. But, one thing we know, the sealing of the record benefited somebody. Whoever did that might be the party to watch.
ReplyDeleteThe case shoudln't have been sealed over a settlement.
ReplyDeleteSomething's hidden in there. We'll find out eventually. It always comes out.
I say open the files, let the sunshine in! What and who are they hiding, protecting?
ReplyDelete