A Mercer County man pleaded and was sentenced Monday for accidentally shooting his young relative after mistaking her for a skunk.
Thomas Edward Grant, 25, of 35 Lightcap Lane, Jackson Center, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment.
A charge of aggravated assault was dismissed in February after a judge agreed with a defense motion claiming there was “proof of malice” on Grant’s part to support the felony charge.
Beaver County Judge Harry Knafelc sentenced Grant to serve two years’ probation and to pay restitution to the victim’s family. Grant’s hunting privileges have also been revoked during his probation.
Grant’s attorney, Steven Valsamidis, said the victim’s family was in agreement with the plea and sentencing.
Grant was charged by New Sewickley Township police following the shooting the night of Oct. 20 at his mother’s Brewer Road home. Police said Grant fired a gun thinking he was shooting at a skunk when there was actually an 8-year-old girl wearing a black-and-white Halloween costume who was playing hide-and-seek in the distance.
It seems Greg's comment was not only dripping with condescension but actually wrong.
Mikeb, if you'd try some basic research, you'd look smarter. In Pennsylvania, it's illegal for anyone convicted of a crime of violence to own a firearm.
Your unwillingness to look at simple facts is one reason that you'll never succeed in your goals.
As I said initially, the gun-rights fanatics take care of their own. Charges are reduced in order to allow the negligent and dangerous gun owner to continue owning guns. I realize some of them learn their lesson and for the rest of their lives are extremely careful. But, I also realize that the person who demonstrates the carelessness and stupidity to do something dangerous with a gun often cannot learn any better. It's in his nature.
It's disgraceful and what's even more disgraceful is guys like Greg lie about it insisting it's just not true.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
