Trial Date Set for Suspect in Lanier Boating Deaths

The Johns Creek business owner and Cumming resident who has been indicted in Hall County in connection with the boating deaths of two Gwinnett youths at Lake Lanier has a scheduled trial date.

Paul Bennett, owner of Paul Bennett Studio in Johns Creek, is scheduled to face trial May 20, 2013. Also, the next motions hearing reportedly is set for January 31, according to Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh.

"There was a pre-trial conference with the judge between the state and the defense late last week," said Darragh.

He also told Patch that Judge Kathlene Gosselin would be hearing arguments in this case.

Bennett was indicted for homicide and boating under the influence in connection with the boating collision on June 18, 2012, that killed Griffin and Jake Prince of Buford. Authorities say Bennett's boat collided with a pontoon boat driven by the youths' father. Griffin Prince's body was recovered more than a week after the accident.

A Hall County grand jury in August indicted Bennett for eight counts of homicide by vessel in the first degree (four counts for each of the two Prince boys), two counts of boating under the influence, two counts of reckless operation of a vessel, and one count of violation of duty to render assistance and identify vessel and self.

The youths had a memorial service in nearby Suwanee in July.

The Prince brothers' deaths, and another boating accident in 2012 that killed Kile Glover of Atlanta, produced a wide outcry over boating safety at Lake Lanier. Glover was the stepson of superstar entertainer Usher.

Cumming Patch editor Liz Kennedy contributed to this article.

See also: 

Johns Creek Salon Owner Charged in Fatal Boat Crash

Paul Bennett Bonds Out of Jail

Paul Bennett Indicted in Fatal Boat Collision