Lauderdale County DA Chris Connolly
FLORENCE – Mark McBryer, this afternoon got the news that the Lauderdale County Grand Jury has returned a “No Bill” of indictment against him in connection with the June 8, 2019 fatal boating accident in which 2 people were killed.
The announcement was made to McBryer and the News media this afternoon by Lauderdale County District Attorney, Chris Connolly.
Here is the full media release:
“The Lauderdale County Grand Jury today returned a “No Bill” in an
investigation of boat owner/operator, Mark McBryer, who was involved in a
boating collision on June 8, 2019 on Shoal Creek.
The crash resulted in the deaths of Lauren Cowart and her 5-year-old child
who were on board a boat being driven by Ross Newton Wooten, III. Wooten was
indicted last month for two counts of manslaughter for recklessly causing their
deaths by crashing his boat into a boat operated by McBryer. This month’s grand
jury returned an additional charge against Wooten for Assault 3rd degree for
recklessly causing injuries to his four-year-old son, who was on board the boat
with Wooten at the time of the crash. The child received treatment at NAMC after
the crash and follow up treatment in his hometown—Augusta, GA.
According to Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly, in
addition to considering evidence regarding the injuries to Wooten’ child, the grand
jury’s focus during this session was on McBryer’s actions after the crash.
After the collision, McBryer drove his boat from the crash to a near-by
marina-Marina Mar. All occupants of McBryer’s boat remained at the marina until
cleared to leave by investigators.
Based on GPS data from McBryer’s boat, the crash occurred at
approximately 10:34 p.m. on June 8th. The first 911 call after the crash was
from a passenger on McBryer’s boat at 10:35 p.m. Two additional calls were made by
passengers on McBryer’s boat within the minutes following the initial call.
The District Attorney’s Office is releasing the 911 calls today.
911 calls from occupants of McBryer boat on June 8, 2019
FIRST CALL: 06-08-2019_10.35.56.3p_-_Trunk_1_Landline_-_55_(Voice)
SECOND CALL: 06-08-2019_10.42.54.8p_-_Trunk_3_Landline_(Voice)
THIRD CALL 06-08-2019_10.50.06.9p_-_Trunk_4_Landline_(Voice) “
