Heather Ann Bradburn Stepp
Local news
A Henderson County woman who was babysitting a toddler who died in an accidental shooting was charged in her death on Monday.
Deputies charged Heather Ann Bradburn Stepp, 28, with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter.
This charge arose as a result of the death of 2-year-old Abagail Newman on Oct. 26.
Henderson County authorities say Abagail was accidentally shot in her upper body by a 20-gauge shotgun.
What about the gun owner? What about the incredibly irresponsible decision to have a shotgun in a home with kids? Unless the young babysitter brought the gun with her along with her homework, I'd say the parents should be the ones facing charges.
ReplyDelete"What about the gun owner? What about the incredibly irresponsible decision to have a shotgun in a home with kids? Unless the young babysitter brought the gun with her along with her homework, I'd say the parents should be the ones facing charges."
It appears the babysitting was taking place at the home of the babysitter. And with her being 28 years old, she likely didn't have any homework. In fact, both her and her husband have been charged manslaughter, pretty much skipping over the charges for violating North Carolina's safe storage law which is on the books. The charge might be in the list somewhere, but didn't make the cut to be mentioned in the article.
Though this is another example of how a dedicated prosecutor can punish negligent storage of firearms without such a law. Kudos to the prosecutor.
"The 911 call was made from a home on Golden Eagle Way. In that 911 call, a woman said a loaded shotgun was left on a table and she did not know it. In the call, she said her husband had been hunting on Sunday night.
Stout said on Tuesday that deputies had charged 31-year-old James Stepp with one felony county of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Abagail Newman's death. He said Stepp was the homeowner and husband referenced in the 911 call."
http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/30349088/deputies-investigate-shooting-of-toddler-in-henderson-co#ixzz3qQJfbGGx
Mikeb has never been one to let the facts interfere with an opportunity to whine and bleat piteously.
DeleteThanks ss for the additional details, which as Kurt well knows were not available in the story I posted.
DeleteThanks ss for the additional details, which as Kurt well knows were not available in the story I posted.
DeleteWhat I know is that you whined and bleated without bothering to first ascertain whether or not your anguish was justified. Nothing new about that, of course.
I guess never hire a babysitter who is out of college or school unless they are an old maid or widow. Never leave your child at someone else's house.
ReplyDeleteHow about charge these retards with simple murder. Just like an accidental death via DUI?
"How about charge these retards with simple murder. Just like an accidental death via DUI?
DeleteI believe that the main element for a murder conviction is intent of the person. Might be a challenge to prove that there was intent to harm the child. I even sort of have my doubts about how it happened. The typical stereotype of a child wounded in a negligent shooting such as this is it being self inflicted.
However, I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around a two year old having the arm length to reach the trigger with the muzzle pointed at her torso. The article doesn't go into detail about what happened and makes me wonder if its a safe storage issue at all. I imagine things might change after any forensic evidence is processed.
"I believe that the main element for a murder conviction is intent of the person."
DeleteIntent is not necessary for a conviction. Proving the person did the criminal act is enough. You really should give up trying to be a lawyer, you flunk.
It would certainly be necessary to convict on a murder charge Anon. However, the current charge is involuntary manslaughter which isn't a murder charge and doesn't require intent.
DeleteYou don't have to be a lawyer to look stuff up. FJ asked a simple question and I answered it. Perhaps if you read FJ's comment first, it will make things clearer.
Sorry, intent is not necessary for a murder charge. Educate yourself!
DeleteAnon, I think you may have murder confused with homicide. Homicide refers to the killing of another regardless of intent. Within that definition there are two subsets, manslaughter and murder with the main difference between the two being intent to kill.
DeleteAs you can see here, the people in the article are being charged with involuntary manslaughter. As for me educating myself, I'd suggest you take your own advice.