The criminal trial in Australia regarding the death of Dianne Brimble on P & O Cruises’ Pacific Sky continues with key witnesses having a complete lapse of memory.
In a previous article, I commented on the danger of passengers, like Ms. Brimble, being given “Fantasy” or other date rape drugs on cruise ships.
Dragan Losic (with goatee), one of “8 persons of interest” in Ms. Brimble’s death, appeared in Court. Over the course of three hours of his testimony, he could not even remember meeting Dianne Brimble on the first night of the cruise, just hours before she died in his friends’ cabin.
Australia’s “The Age” newspaper reports that Mr. Losic previously testified in what is called a “coronial inquest.” At that time, he clearly recollected that he was the first to meet Ms Brimble in a disco on the cruise ship and he later observed her in his friend’s cabin. He also remembered “Fantasy” on the cruise ship. But now with his friend on trial for Ms.Brimble’s death, Mr. Losic can’t remember a thing.
Another key witness, Matthew Graham Slade, who testified today also changed his story. Australian news website news.com.au reports that Mr. Slade originally told police that he awoke on the cruise and saw a naked body on the floor of his cabin. But at trial, he claims that he can’t remember this at all.
In New Orleans where I went to law school, we called this “crawfishing.” This is a term which characterizes a crawfish (or other crustacean) which crawls backwards, usually into a hole, when confronted with danger.
Date rape drugs. Crawfishing witnesses. A devastated family. The trial continues.
Photo credit Sydney Morning Herald