This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7038904.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Two charged with US boat murders Two charged with US boat murders
(about 9 hours later)
US authorities have charged two men with killing the captain and three crew members of a chartered fishing boat they are accused of trying to hijack.US authorities have charged two men with killing the captain and three crew members of a chartered fishing boat they are accused of trying to hijack.
Kirby Archer and Guillermo Zarabozo were found alone in the life raft of the Joe Cool after it was reported missing in the Bahamas last month.Kirby Archer and Guillermo Zarabozo were found alone in the life raft of the Joe Cool after it was reported missing in the Bahamas last month.
The bodies have not been found, but prosecutors say they have sufficient circumstantial and forensic evidence.The bodies have not been found, but prosecutors say they have sufficient circumstantial and forensic evidence.
The two men say Cuban pirates boarded the Joe Cool and murdered its crew.The two men say Cuban pirates boarded the Joe Cool and murdered its crew.
Mr Archer and Mr Zarabozo are set to appear before a federal court in Miami, Florida, on Thursday. They could get face a death sentence or life in prison if convicted.Mr Archer and Mr Zarabozo are set to appear before a federal court in Miami, Florida, on Thursday. They could get face a death sentence or life in prison if convicted.
'Strong' evidence'Strong' evidence
Federal investigators said the two accused had paid $4,000 (£1,960) to charter the 14m (47ft) fishing boat on 22 September for a trip to Bimini in the Bahamas. Federal investigators said the two accused had paid $4,000 (£1,960) to charter the 47ft (14m) fishing boat on 22 September for a trip to Bimini in the Bahamas.
However, the Joe Cool unexpectedly turned towards Cuba part of the way through the journey and contact was lost with the crew.However, the Joe Cool unexpectedly turned towards Cuba part of the way through the journey and contact was lost with the crew.
We've examined the evidence with care - we believe the evidence is strong US Attorney Alexander AcostaWe've examined the evidence with care - we believe the evidence is strong US Attorney Alexander Acosta
The US Coast Guard found the boat adrift with no-one on board on 23 September near Anguilla Bay in the Bahamas, about 55km (35 miles) from Cuba. The US Coast Guard found the boat adrift with no-one on board on 23 September near Anguilla Bay in the Bahamas, about 35 miles (55km) from Cuba.
The next day, Mr Archer and Zarabozo were found, with their luggage, in the Joe Cool's life raft about 19km (12 miles) north of the abandoned boat. The next day, Mr Archer and Zarabozo were found, with their luggage, in the Joe Cool's life raft about 12 miles north of the abandoned boat.
In announcing the charges, US Attorney Alexander Acosta said neither of the two men had confessed to the murders, but that forensic, historical and circumstantial evidence of pre-meditated murder "compels us to bring this prosecution".In announcing the charges, US Attorney Alexander Acosta said neither of the two men had confessed to the murders, but that forensic, historical and circumstantial evidence of pre-meditated murder "compels us to bring this prosecution".
"We've examined the evidence with care. We believe the evidence is strong," Mr Acosta said. "We shouldn't shy away from a case just because it's not an easy one.""We've examined the evidence with care. We believe the evidence is strong," Mr Acosta said. "We shouldn't shy away from a case just because it's not an easy one."
Mr Acosta said the physical evidence included four spent 9mm bullet casings recovered from the Joe Cool with stamps allegedly matching ammunition purchased by Mr Zarabozo in February.Mr Acosta said the physical evidence included four spent 9mm bullet casings recovered from the Joe Cool with stamps allegedly matching ammunition purchased by Mr Zarabozo in February.
Mr Acosta said the two men had also told authorities conflicting stories about the incident and given different descriptions of the pirates.Mr Acosta said the two men had also told authorities conflicting stories about the incident and given different descriptions of the pirates.
The bodies of the four victims - Capt Jake Branam, his wife Kelley, half-brother Scott Gamble, and crewman Samuel Kairy - are unlikely ever to be found, Mr Acosta said. The bodies of the four victims - Capt Jake Branam, his wife Kelley, half-brother Scott Gamble, and crewman Samuel Kairy - were unlikely ever to be found, Mr Acosta said.