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Michael Joseph Simpson faces attempted murder charge after allegedly shutting off a diver's oxygen supply during a lobster mini-season dispute.

Michael Joseph Simpson, a 51-year-old man from Miami Beach, faces an attempted second-degree murder charge after an incident during Florida's lobster mini-season. Investigators allege that Simpson intentionally shut off the air supply of an 18-year-old diver, Hunter Cofer, while the youth was underwater searching for lobsters off Fisher Island. The confrontation reportedly began when Simpson claimed the diving spot was his and became irate, eventually jumping into the water to turn off the oxygen unit. While the victim's boat owner rescued Cofer to the surface, where he appeared disoriented and gasping for air, Simpson initially fled the scene before voluntarily surrendering to authorities. Simpson's attorney, Howard Srebnick, maintains his client's innocence, arguing that video evidence shows the diver became entangled in the equipment while Simpson was nearby. The state has agreed to reduce the charge from a felony murder to attempted second-degree murder. Simpson posted a $10,000 bond and was released from jail on Wednesday evening.

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