After hearing the story told by wittnesses and Mr. Chaney, and being a hunter safety instructor, and a bird hunter, and having hunted Texas birds, I have a few of my own conclusions. And steel shot is only required for migratory birds (Ducks, Geese, and such), Quail are not migratory so lead shot is used for them. Also depending on his level of markmanship, he may have been using a tighter choke to make it a bit more challenging. At 30 yards most shotguns will not have opened up that much, at least not as much as most people think.
1. When hunting in formation everyone has an established field of fire. if someone drops out the fire of fire for the remaining members changes. If that individual decides to return he should make his intention known to all members before returning to his former position.
2. The individual shot had left the formation, then returned without notifying his comrads. Mr. Chaney not knowing his comrade had returned and was now in his field of fire, did not know to modify his field of fire. In other words the guy was somewhere he was not supposed to be.
3. While Mr. Chaney is responsiable because he pulled the trigger, I can't fault him. I feel the fault lies with the guy that got shot.