Man Charged With Murder on Cruise Ship Could Get Death Penalty

January 8, 2010 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports a man that has been charged with murder that took place on a cruise ship could face the death penalty.

Federal prosecutors in San Diego are considering the death penalty according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the case of Robert John McGill.

McGill is accused of beating his wife to death last summer while on a cruise ship, he was charged with first degree murder and kidnapping in an indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to reports McGill age 55 of Los Angeles allegedly admitted to passengers and to FBI agents called to the ship that while on the cruise ship Elation.

The incident took place July 14th and according to witnesses he was highly intoxicated that day, and then admitted to beating his wife Shirley to death in their cabin.

The San Diego federal prosecutor’s office is considering the death penalty in the case due to the fact that the murder took place during a kidnapping.

According to McGill’s attorney Todd Burns that the federal government is over reacting and has no evidence of kidnapping or first degree murder in the death of McGill’s wife Shirley. McGill’s attorney is a federal public defender in the pending charges.

Many a cruise ship accident lawyer has warned of these types of problems and it is hoped that the new legislation will help prevent these types of crimes aboard passenger liners.