I agree! No excuses!
The guy was using a .270, so I have to assume it was scoped. How does one look through a scope and place the crosshairs on an object, (finding the vitals), and not be able to tell the difference between a bear and a man? Was the marine wearing a shaggy fur coat?! Was he on all fours?
This negligence in and of itself consitutes the crime of manslaughter in my opinion.
On another forum disscussion about this, someone tried to blame the marine for not wearing hunter orange during hunting season. I ain't buyin any of that hay. There is no excuse for not following the first rule of hunting. Know for sure what you are shooting at and whats behind it!!
But because of guys like this, we do have to wear orange. And even that is not too comforting these days!
As far as covering for the kid, if he did it, I don't see the sense in that either. If that is the case, the kid lives with not only the guilt of killing someone accidentally, but also the guilt of his grandpa suffering the consequences for it, and possibly, going to jail. If that is the case and the kid shot the marine, he would be better off fessing up to it. I doubt the courts would send him to jail. Grandpa is another story!
Years ago, in Colorado, I heard of a kid that got shot by a "hunter" while riding his mini-bike right outside of town. The "hunter" said he thought the kid was a deer. Don't remember how that turned out. Still blows my mind though!
