{"id":2605301,"date":"2026-05-20T22:39:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T02:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-keeps-baltimore-bridge-civil-trial-on-track-despite-criminal-charges\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T22:40:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T02:40:59","slug":"judge-keeps-baltimore-bridge-civil-trial-on-track-despite-criminal-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-keeps-baltimore-bridge-civil-trial-on-track-despite-criminal-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge keeps Baltimore bridge civil trial on track despite criminal charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-keeps-baltimore-bridge-civil-trial-on-track-despite-criminal-charges%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2605301&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal judge ruled<\/a> that a civil trial over the March 26, 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse will go forward as scheduled with a June 1 start date in Baltimore. The court rejected requests by the ship owner and two related companies to delay the civil case until after a recently filed federal indictment involving an Indian national who worked on the *Dali* and the companies accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/george-santos-hit-with-additional-charges-in-fraud-case-doj\/\" title=\"George Santos faces new charges in fraud case, says DOJ.\">offenses including conspiracy<\/a> and obstruction.<\/p>\n<p>Judge James Bredar also turned down a prosecutor\u2019s bid to let the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-team-requests-three-day-extension-to-respond-to-doj-protective-order\/\" title=\"Trump team asks for three-day extension to respond to DOJ protective order.\">criminal case proceed<\/a> before the civil trial, saying the proper approach was \u201cto stay the course.\u201d The upcoming trial will primarily determine whether the companies can limit their financial liability or face unlimited damages.  <\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-revokes-derek-chauvins-bail-sets-sentencing-hearing-for-eight-weeks\/\" title=\"Judge Revokes Derek Chauvin\u2019s Bail, Sets Sentencing Hearing For Eight Weeks\">judge noted<\/a> that the *Dali* lost power multiple times before the collision, and that a U.S. safety inquiry attributed the cause to a loose wire. Families and lawyers of six construction workers who died in the collapse urged keeping the trial on schedule. The companies argued that postponing could help ensure witnesses are available, but the judge emphasized the need to proceed without delay, while Maryland separately reached a $2.25 billion settlement earlier this month resolving the state\u2019s claims.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A federal judge decided on Wednesday to keep the June 1 start date for the civil trial litigating a container ship\u2019s collision with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/francis-scott-key-bridge\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11181\">Francis Scott Key Bridge<\/a> over two years ago in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/baltimore\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1471\">Baltimore<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The civil trial is moving forward despite a recent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/foreign-operators-and-technical-superintendent-mv-dali-indicted-roles-key-bridge-crash\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/foreign-operators-and-technical-superintendent-mv-dali-indicted-roles-key-bridge-crash\">federal indictment<\/a> against an Indian national who worked on the cargo ship and two foreign companies that own and manage the <em>Dali<\/em>. They were charged with conspiracy, failing to report a known hazardous condition to the Coast Guard, obstruction, and making false statements.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4577075\/former-prosecutor-charged-disguising-jack-smith-report-cake-recipe\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Former prosecutor charged for disguising sealed Jack Smith report as cake recipe<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4576622\/ken-paxton-win-maha-grocery-store-pesticides-organic-produce\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Paxton wins against grocery stores spraying pesticides on organic produce in appeal to MAHA<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4576432\/jan-6-officers-sue-anti-weaponization-fund-dunn-hodges\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Officers who defended Capitol on Jan. 6 sue DOJ over anti-weaponization fund<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. District Judge James Bredar of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maryland\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"49\">Maryland<\/a> refused to postpone the civil trial at the request of the two companies involved in the case. He also rejected a federal prosecutor\u2019s request to let the criminal case proceed before the civil case.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe right course, the best course, the most fair course, is to stay the course,\u201d Bredar said at a court hearing on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less than two weeks away, the civil trial will focus on whether the ship\u2019s owner and manager are entitled to cap their financial liability or are subject to unlimited damages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Dali<\/em> lost power four times in the 10 hours before its collision with the bridge, which collapsed upon impact on March 26, 2024. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-transportation-safety-board\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1326\">National Transportation Safety Board<\/a> blamed a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/3890965\/ntsb-identifies-loose-wire-probable-cause-preventable-baltimore-bridge-collapse\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/3890965\/ntsb-identifies-loose-wire-probable-cause-preventable-baltimore-bridge-collapse\/\">loose wire<\/a> on the vessel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six construction workers who were working on the bridge at the time were killed. Their lawyers asked Bredar to keep the trial on schedule.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The companies\u2019 attorneys argued that delaying the case until after the criminal trial would allow new witnesses to testify without the threat of prosecution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4564420\/two-corporations-one-worker-indicted-over-key-bridge-collapse\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4564420\/two-corporations-one-worker-indicted-over-key-bridge-collapse\/\">TWO CORPORATIONS AND ONE WORKER INDICTED OVER KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees of the two companies who might testify have said they will not travel to the United States for the trial because they fear being detained, like the nine <em>Dali<\/em> crew members who have been held in Baltimore indefinitely due to the legal proceedings and federal investigations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separate from the upcoming trial, Maryland finalized its $2.25 billion settlement with the ship\u2019s owner and operator earlier this month that resolves the state\u2019s claims against the companies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge keeps June 1 civil trial date after Key Bridge case indictment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2605302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26132730207073.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[15961,80045,42708,33310,50433],"class_list":["post-2605301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-baltimore","tag-civil-trial","tag-court-proceedings","tag-criminal-charges","tag-judge-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26132730207073.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2605301"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605301\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2605305,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605301\/revisions\/2605305"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2605302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2605301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2605301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2605301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}