Overview
- John Reichhardt, 64, pleaded not guilty in Dedham Superior Court to boat homicide by negligent operation and two counts of assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.
- A judge released him on personal recognizance with an order not to commit new crimes while the case moves forward.
- Prosecutors from Plymouth County assumed the case after Norfolk County cited a conflict, and they say a grand jury returned an indictment following their presentation of evidence.
- The collision in 2024 near Grape Island in Hingham Bay involved a 38-foot motorboat striking a 21-foot sailboat, sinking it and injuring two people on the sailboat, and 70-year-old Patricia Cicalese later died from her injuries.
- Court documents say the motorboat driver reported traveling about 17 mph and trying to power down and turn right before impact, and investigators seized a Garmin unit for U.S. Coast Guard analysis to reconstruct position, speed and heading.