Cole Goldberg is currently in a courtroom to decide if a frantic reach in the water was a murder attempt or a dying man's reflex. The state of Florida claims Goldberg tried to drown Caroline Schwitzky, known for her time on the reality television circuit, during a chaotic boating event known as the Boca Bash.
The trial, which finished its first day of testimony, hinges on a single moment in the current of the lake.
Goldberg faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder.
Prosecutors say he followed Schwitzky into the water and held her under.
The defense argues Goldberg was exhausted by a strong current and grabbed her shoulder only to stay afloat.
A witness, Matt Paris, reportedly jumped from a nearby boat to pull the two apart.
The Divergent Narratives of the Water
The prosecution paints a picture of a violent struggle lasting nearly twenty minutes. Four witnesses who were on a nearby boat testified that the scene was one of terror. However, the physical evidence presents a different, more jagged reality. Defense attorney Perlet pointed to photos taken immediately after the struggle showing Schwitzky’s neck lacked bruises and her hair remained largely dry—a detail that sits poorly with the image of a woman held underwater for an extended period.
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| State’s Version | Defense’s Version |
|---|---|
| Intentional attempted murder | Involuntary survival response |
| 20-minute struggle in the lake | Exhaustion from swimming in a heavy current |
| Witness intervention saved a life | Misinterpretation of a drowning man's panic |
| Rejected a plea for 6 months jail | Seeking total acquittal of felony charges |
"She wasn't running behind any of the witnesses on the boat to hide from this alleged killer," the defense noted, questioning the level of fear present during the actual event.
Refusal of the Middle Path
Before the trial began, Goldberg was offered a way out through a plea agreement. The deal required him to serve six months in a local jail, three years of probation, and a written apology of 500 words. Goldberg refused the offer, choosing instead to risk two decades of his life to contest the felony charge. This refusal moves the case from a bureaucratic settlement to a stark contest of memory and physics.
Context of the Lake
The event, Boca Bash, is an unofficial gathering where hundreds of boats, kayaks, and people on floating pads crowd Lake Boca Raton. It is a day defined by drinking and sun, which often complicates the clarity of witness accounts.
Caroline Schwitzky appeared on the program 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?
The Sheriff’s Office processed the arrest following the bystander intervention.
Alcohol use among the group was noted by the prosecution as a factor in the day's progression.
The trial continues as the court attempts to separate the panic of a man who cannot swim from the malice of a man who wants to kill.
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