AnneMarie Flanigan's attorney, Joshua Xerri, made a motion to reduce her bond from $1 million to $500,000. Flanigan's boyfriend, Quinten Kight, was operating the boat that day, and authorities said he appeared to be looking at his phone moments before the accident.
Xerri stated that Flanigan is a combat nurse who recently retired from the U.S. Army. She has a 19-year-old son who has autism and is in desperate need of her support.
"Every day that Ms. Flanigan is in jail is a day that her son is not getting the care and support he needs and was getting from Flanigan," said Xerri. "There is no allegation from the state that Ms. Flanigan had been drinking, intoxicated, or operating the boat in any way."
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Chatham County and Orange County District Attorney Jeff Neiman argued that Flanigan, the boat's owner, was sober and aware as she watched her boyfriend consume several drinks while behind the wheel. Nieman said 39 empty cans of alcohol were found on the boat.
"They did portable breath tests on several people there, mainly just to see who was safe enough to drive away from the scene, including Ms. Flanigan," he said. "She blew zeroes. She was sober. Instead, she let her boyfriend drive."
Kight and Flanigan are both being held on the same charges, which include second-degree murder and felony death by impaired boating.
Family of victim attends the hearing
The boating accident killed 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll. Her loved ones were emotional as they listened to evidence brought forth by the prosecution.
Kim Cannon and Matt Carroll, Brooklyn's parents, released the following statement:
Instead of taking our beloved Brooklyn to school today, we attended a criminal bond hearing for one of the people accused with her death. As we sat and listened to the disturbing facts surrounding this needless and tragic event, we held a lock of Brooklyn's hair in our hands and remembered the joy she brought to our lives. We thank the Chatham County District Attorney's office and law enforcement for their undivided attention to this case, which has devastated so many families. We also express our heartfelt thanks to this community for their continued prayers.