A Franklin pest control expert working in Maine is under investigation after he accidentally shot and killed a fellow worker.
Michael Warbin, 44, fired a single shot from a .22-caliber rifle that wounded and killed Manuel Adame, 57, on Aug. 19, according to a report from the Portland Press Herald.
Steve McCausland of the Maine Department of Public Safety said Warbin was shooting the rifle to kill rodents and stray chickens inside one of the farm’s egg houses.
McCausland said Adame collapsed while attempting to leave the barn and died as he was being taken to a Lewiston hospital.
The state medical examiner’s office said Adame died of a gunshot wound to the chest and neck.
Warbin on Tuesday referred all questions to his Portland, Maine, attorney, Jonathan Berry. Berry said Warbin is not and never was under arrest and is free to leave the state. He said he didn’t know whether Warbin had done so.
Maine Deputy Attorney General William Stokes told the Press Herald last week that investigators believe the shooting was unintentional but want to know why Warbin apparently didn’t know Adame was in his field of fire
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You mean no charges yet. Did you notice how this is under investigation?
ReplyDeleteI didn't get the impression charges were imminent.
DeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteI've commented before on the reasons for arresting someone before charges are brought. They are still investigating and charges may yet be brought. But in the US, there's this pesky 36 hour rule that comes into ply for people who are arrested.
Now if it happened in the gun-free paradise of Japan, he could be kept for up to 21 days before seeing a judge. Did you know that the percentage of suspects who confess there is quite high too?
My prediction is he'll survive this and live to kill another day.
Delete