Oregon bear hunter on trial for killing Marine
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Lawyers for an Oregon hunter who killed a man he mistook for a bear say they concede their client shot the Marine reservist, but they maintain the death in a field near Silver Falls State Park was an accident.
The defense says 68-year-old Eugene Irvin Collier was "100 percent sure it was a bear" he was firing at while hunting with his 12-year-old grandson on private land in October 2011. But the prosecution argues Collier recklessly killed the 20-year-old California man who had crossed the property on what he thought was a shortcut to the state park.
Collier's trial on a manslaughter charge began Tuesday, and lawyers say it will center on whether the shot that killed Christopher Ochoa was reckless or accidental.
"It's conceded that Eugene Collier caused the death of Christopher Ochoa," defense lawyer Jeff Jones said.
Collier, from nearby Turner, was hunting with his grandson on land owned by Collier's brother.
Prosecutor Toby Tingleaf said Ochoa had come to Oregon from French Camp, Calif., to help a friend.
The two decided to take a shortcut to Silver Falls State Park. They crossed a road and entered a 100-acre field of grass, Tingleaf said.
"One sign said no hunting," Tingleaf said. "They didn't realize they weren't on state property."
Collier fired his rifle at what he thought was a bear, Tingleaf said, but he didn't have a state tag to hunt bears.
"This case is about Christopher Ochoa," the prosecutor said. "His death is not accidental. It should have and could have been avoided."
Jones said the property had a bear problem, and Collier's family rarely saw trespassers.
Collier and his grandson had put up two hunting stands on the property and set deer bait earlier in the day, Jones said.
Collier saw "something on all fours" and shot to kill what he thought was a bear, Jones said. "He was 100 percent sure it was a bear," he said.
There were eight "no-trespassing, no-hunting" signs about 100 yards apart, the attorney said.
The trial was scheduled to last three days.
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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
I still say this could have been avoided if our hunting arm of choice were limited to more primitive means such as a spear or bow, not some, super-sonic sling shot. Â But hey, what do I know other than the headline!
@J. Burton You want to go up against a bear with a spear?
If you shoot without seeing your target clearly, you aren't a hunter, you're a gambler with a gun - I don't see how there could be any reasonable defense for this kind of behavior especially in the absence of a bear tag.  According to the quote from Collier's defense attorney, Collier fired deliberately so it can hardly be "an accident."  Â
Deepest sympathy for the family and friends of the young victim who must still be grieving his tragic and pointless death. Â Why is there no photo of him with the story?
I'm sad for everyone concerned.
@Ward Payne Well-said, Ward.  This is manslaughter, plain and simple.