NCJ Number
131110
Journal
Kriminalist Volume: 22 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1990) Pages: 362-363
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The article analyzes the circumstances and verdict in an unusual German hunting offense.
Abstract
Under the impression that he was shooting at wild pigs, a 55-year old professional gamekeeper shot at four Dutch soldiers and injured one of them severely. Several circumstances beyond the accused's control contributed to his error: his hunting box was at some distances from the soldiers, the night was moonless, and the soldiers in camouflage advanced in a bent position. The accused was sentenced to a heavy fine for injuring his victim carelessly. The court argued that the gamekeeper should have recognized that his targets were human and that he should not have fired until he was certain that no people were endangered by his maneuver. According to German law, any hunter must be aware of the possibility of humans in the forest at all times, especially at night. However, the offender was spared a prison term because of the unusual circumstances and his related condition; he suffered two heart attacks following the offense.