WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida man was acquitted of on charges he tried to murder his girlfriend while they were out boating in South Florida.

Cole Goldberg testifies in his attempted murder trial on March 11, 2026. (Court TV)

Cole Preston Goldberg, 27, was charged with attempted second-degree murder after prosecutors say he tried to strangle his then-girlfriend, Caroline Schwitzsky, while the two were attending a “Boca Bash” event on April 24, 2022. Schwitzsky is a Miami-based talent agent.

Cheers erupted in court with shouts of, “It’s his birthday!” after Judge John Parnofiello announced his findings that the defendant was not guilty of all charges he faced. Goldberg had waived his right to a jury trial and opted for Judge Parnofiello to decide his fate.

The couple, who had been dating for approximately a year at the time of the incident, got into an argument while aboard a boat at the event in 2022. Investigators say Schwitzsky tried to get away, but Goldberg physically held her and tried to prevent her from leaving. She eventually jumped off the boat and tried to swim to another boat nearby, prompting Goldberg to jump into the water after her.

A witness from the second boat told police that once in the water, Goldberg “grabbed her by the throat with both hands, attempting to strangle her and was holding her under the water in a complete rage.” The strangers on the second boat were able to pull the alleged victim on board, but wouldn’t let Goldberg on the boat. When police arrived at the scene, he was swimming between the two boats.

Goldberg was initially charged with domestic battery by strangulation; those charges were upgraded more than a year after the incident to attempted second-degree murder. Prosecutors offered Goldberg a plea agreement that would have required him to serve six months in jail and three years of probation, as well as write a 500-word letter of apology. He turned down the offer, saying he would not accept a plea to a felony.

TRIAL UPDATES

DAY 4 – 3/12/26

• LIVE STREAM: Reality Star Boat Strangling Trial – Day 4
• Judge John Parnofiello issued his verdict of not guilty on each count.

DAY 3 – 3/11/26

• LIVE STREAM: Reality Star Boat Strangling Trial – Day 3
• DW #1 – Sebastian Esamoa / Defendant’s friend
  • Described Goldberg as peaceful and not aggressive.
  • Everyone on the boat at Boca Bash was drinking alcohol.
  • Goldberg and Caroline appeared to be on good terms.
• DW #2 – Anthony Robert Mimno / Defendant’s friend
  • Known Cole for eight to nine years, knows him to be peaceful and a good friend.
  • Described Caroline as getting extremely intoxicated.
  • Cole was trying to calm Caroline down after someone slapped her butt.
• DW #3 – Angela Rada / Defendant’s ex-girlfriend
  • Dated Cole for four years after meeting him freshman year of high school; they remained good friends until his relationship with Caroline. They began speaking again after that relationship ended.
  • Said Cole was not the jealous type.
• DW #4 – Cole Goldberg / Defendant
  • Met Caroline in 2021 at his club job and they became close; he met her children and she came to his family’s home.
  • Cole said he was taking care of Caroline financially, taking out a loan from his student loan account.
  • Both he and Caroline were drinking at Boca Bash; they had no arguments and were having a good time.
  • Cole said he was throwing drinks to the girls on a trampoline because they asked for them.
  • Described Caroline as getting upset with him for not getting physical and aggressive with the drunk person who slapped her butt.
  • Caroline jumped into the water of her own accord; he was concerned about her safety and jumped in after her.
  • Cole said he was struggling to swim because of water splashing in his eyes and mouth and grabbed onto Caroline because he was sinking; he said he never tried to drown her.
    • MORE: Cole Goldberg denies trying to drown girlfriend: ‘I was sinking’
• DW #5 – Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Drowning expert
  • Described the stages of drowning and what drowning can look like.
• The defense rested its case.
• The prosecution and defense presented closing arguments.

DAY 2 – 3/10/26

• LIVE STREAM: Reality Star Boat Strangling Trial – Day 2
• SW #5 – Anthony Bullen, Eyewitness
  • Attended Boca Bash with friends, drank beer.
  • Did not know Caroline or Cole prior to the incident.
  • Observed Caroline swimming toward a boat, trying to get away from the defendant.
  • Saw Cole holding Caroline back; they appeared to be arguing. Caroline Seemed upset, tried to push Cole away and eventually jumped off the boat.
  • Cole swam after her, pushed her head underwater for approximately five seconds.
  • Caroline was helped onto another boat by others; Cole got on a different boat.
  • Did not see anyone get pushed into the water, did not see a raft and did not see a sexual assault.
• SW #6 – Lloyd Whiting, Eyewitness
  • Attended Boca Bash for the first time, drank 3-4 beers.
  • Observed a woman in a red bathing suit (Caroline) arguing with a man (Cole)
  • Saw Cole following Caroline, holding her from behind; she punched his hands to get free, then jumped into the water. Caroline swam quickly and frantically away from Cole, who jumped in after her.
  • Cole appeared to push Caroline underwater forcefully, but only briefly.
  • Bystanders yelled at Cole to stop; someone threatened him with a boat hook if he tried to get back on the boat.
  • Did not see any sexual assault or signs of Caroline being unable to swim.
• SW #7 – Caroline Schwitzsky Lebron, Victim
  • Drank alcohol that day, described arguing with Cole and issues with jealousy.
    • Cole did not want her to interact with other men, and threw a can of seltzer that hit her in the eye.
  • Described a physical altercation: Cole held her from behind, bit her, would not let her go. She broke free and jumped into the water.
  • Claimed Cole followed, grabbed her, and pulled her under the water for what felt like a long time.
    • MORE: Ex-girlfriend describes alleged assault in the water: ‘I thought I was gonna die’
  • Stated she did not want to destroy Cole’s life, she was conflicted when talking to the police. She clarified that she did not consent to Cole’s actions but at times minimized or denied details to authorities.
• SW#8 – Senior Officer Damon Pulaski, Fish and Wildlife Commission
  • Responded to Boca Bash after seeing people waving for help.
  • Found Cole in the water, disoriented and hanging onto a backpack. He noted that Cole smelled of alcohol and was sometimes incoherent.
  • Did not observe any injuries on Cole and did not speak to Caroline.
• SW #9 – Officer Dillion Hudson, Fish and Wildlife Commission
  • Responded to the event and interviewed witnesses and parties.
  • Saw Cole in the water at the back of a boat.
  • Observed Caroline had bruising on her arms and legs; took photos.
  • Interviewed both Caroline and Cole, and described both as polite and cooperative.
  • Did not see evidence of heavy intoxication or defensive wounds on Cole; did not call paramedics for Caroline.
  • Noted conflicting and evolving statements from Caroline.
• The state rested its case.
• The judge denied the defense’s motion for a directed verdict of acquittal.

DAY 1 – 3/9/26

• LIVE STREAM: Reality Star Boat Strangling Trial – Day 1
• State’s Opening
  • Goldberg and friends went to Boca Bash and were drinking and boat hopping
  • Defendant allegedly grabbed and submerged the victim.
  • Witnesses from another boat saw what happened.
  • Multiple witnesses will testify, each with their own perspective.
  • Officers will testify, and the state emphasizes their burden to prove second degree murder.
• Defense’s Opening
  • Defense describes Goldberg as quiet, from an affluent background, aspiring law student.
  • Argues the victim used Goldberg for money and attention.
  • Highlights inconsistencies in the victim’s story, her social media activity, and past probation violations.
  • Defense claims bruises were from a car accident, not Goldberg.
  • Describes Boca Bash as a chaotic, alcohol-fueled event.
  • Defense claims the incident was a misunderstanding, not an attempted murder.
• SW #1 – Matthew Paris, Eyewitness
  • Saw Caroline Schwitzsky in distress, she asked for a flotation device.
  • Witnessed Goldberg push Caroline underwater, thought it was deliberate.
  • Helped pull Caroline up; she was panicked.
  • Did not call 911; main focus was Caroline’s safety.
  • Did not see injuries on Caroline’s neck or face after the incident.
• SW #2 – Rachel Tarapchak, Eyewitness
  • Saw Caroline Schwitzsky, she asked for a floaty, appeared distressed.
  • Saw Goldberg push Caroline down, described him as focused and intent.
  • Caroline was upset and coughing after being helped onto the boat.
  • Did not call police; waited to see what Caroline wanted.
  • Noted no visible injuries or yelling from Caroline.
• SW #3 – Cheryl Ann Paris, Eyewitness
  • Saw Caroline approach, appearing tired and gasping for air.
  • Saw Goldberg grab Caroline and submerge her, described him as enraged.
  • Cheryl’s ex-husband pulled Caroline out of the water.
  • Did not see marks or injuries on Caroline immediately after.
  • Did not call 911; believed Caroline had been drinking.
• SW #4 – Alexander Tarapchak, Eyewitness
  • Described Goldberg as appearing angry and in an altered state.
  • Saw Goldberg grab Caroline by the neck and push her down.
  • Used a boat hook to separate Goldberg from Caroline.
  • No visible injuries on Caroline; did not call 911, but flagged down Fish and Wildlife officers.