UPDATE: Master-at-Arms Second Class Petty Officer Jackson Bower had an arraignment on March 27, 2025. A General Court Martial date has yet to be set.
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (WAVY) — An active duty sailor charged with negligent homicide in the death last spring of a member of his crew had his article 32 hearing Thursday afternoon.
Master at Arms 2 Jackson Bower, 24, was piloting a light boat known as Work Skiff 5 April 28. Master at Arms 3 Lyndon Cosgriff-Flax, 22, was standing in the bow of the boat.
The two were on harbor patrol near the Coleman Bridge for Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.
According to the government, Bower was showing a new member of the crew the capabilities of the boat.
They began a drill known as “chase the rabbit” where a trailing boat follows a lead boat and tries to stay in its wake.
Bower was driving the lead boat. According to the government he made a left turn, followed by an abrupt and dangerous sharp right turn.
Cosgriff-Flax was thrown overboard and was struck by the propeller. Trial Counsel said a third sailor jumped in to rescue Cosgriff-Flax but found him in a pool of blood.
Bower’s civilian defense attorney called the death a tragedy, but it did not rise to the level of negligent homicide.
The investigating officer will determine next month whether the case goes to a court martial. Bower also faces charges of dereliction of duty and making a false statement to NCIS investigators. If convicted on all charges, he would face more than eight years confinement, reduction in rank to E-1 and dishonorable discharge. Bower remains on active duty at NWSY.
