‘It’s a complete misunderstanding’: Man accused of shutting off juvenile diver’s oxygen supply says he did nothing wrong

A man initially charged with felony attempted murder for allegedly shutting off a young diver’s oxygen supply is clearing the air over what happened on the water.

In an exclusive interview with 7News, 51-year-old Michael Simpson said his accusers have it all wrong about what happened while lobster diving off Fisher Island.

“It’s a complete misunderstanding,” said Simpson. “One-hundred percent no. Why would I intentionally turn off a compressor with somebody possibly on the bottom, breathing?”

The father of two is accused of turning off the air supply machine, also known as a “brownie” device, which provides fresh air to divers underwater, for a juvenile swimmer who was diving for lobsters on another boat on July 29.

“It’s just not true,” said one of Simpson’s sons who was present during the 7News interview.

Days after the lobster mini-season altercation between the two diving groups,...