Not Guilty Verdict Handed Down in Tugboat Trial

Those four words are just about all Luetke could muster after hearing jurors say not guilty of criminally negligent homicide.

Sam Hudson, Luetke’s Attorney, says, "It’s validated our argument from the beginning that Captain Luetke is a professional pilot. He took actions that day consistent with his training and experience on the river."

Four years ago, Luetke was pulling a barge that ended up hitting a 16-foot fishing boat, killing Tom Spidle and Richard Wilkey.

David Wilkey survived.

Melvin Wilkey, Richard Wilkey’s brother, says, "That day never left. It’s been right on the top of my mind the whole time."

Melvin Wilkey says his brother’s death is hard to swallow, and the not guilty verdict is even harder.

Melvin Wilkey adds, "My little brother had been fishing up and down that river for 30 years. He was scared of barges. He wouldn’t have let one run over him. Something aint right about it."

Hudson says the two victims were legally drunk, and when David Wilkey finally saw the barge, the boat’s motor wasn’t working properly.

Combine that with the fact that Luetke didn’t have a lookout; it was a recipe for disaster.

Hudson adds, "An accident happened, but sometimes that does happen.  At the end of the day he wasn’t criminally negligent and the jury sided with us, so were obviously happy with that."

Attorneys quickly pointed out in court that it wasn’t illegal for Luetke not to have a lookout.

Even with that being said, The Wilkey family just isn’t satisfied with the outcome of the nearly week long trial.

Melvin Wilkey adds, "I got no closure from it, none whatsoever because there’s too many things that don’t add up."

But there is closure for the Luetke’s, as evident in numerous hugs.

The closure came quickly too.

Jurors deliberated for less than an hour.

Luetke was also found not guilty of reckless operation of a boat and failure to render assistance.