Lawyer Says 'Pirates' Thought They Were Going To A Party

SALEM, Mass. (AP) -- A lawyer for a Massachusetts man accused of trying to rob a sailboat with the help of a motor boat flying the iconic "skull-and-crossbones" pirate flag said his client thought he was going to a party.

The Salem News reports that attorney Paul Moraski argued in court hearing Monday that his client, 30-year-old Scott Stanton, of Gloucester, denies boarding the sailboat. Moraski said Stanton's co-defendant, 37-year-old Stephen Jette, of Ipswich, is the one who boarded the boat.

Gloucester police said the pair boarded the sailboat at a transient mooring last week only to wake the sailboat owner. The owner later told police that the men's boat was flying the pirates' black-and-white flag.

Both have pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering, threatening to commit a crime and witness intimidation.

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