Hunter gets 1 year in jail for shooting kid

[DeanC]

StarTribune.com
Deer hunter sentenced in death of Buffalo teen

Associated Press

Last update: November 19, 2007 – 9:17 PM
AITKIN, Minn. — A judge sentenced a Maplewood man to a year in jail Monday in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy he mistook for a deer last November while hunting in a state forest north of Lake Mille Lacs.

Steven John Ferguson, 46, was sentenced to a year in jail and placed on supervised probation for 10 years on a conviction of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Brandon Lanie, of Buffalo.

Aitkin County District Judge John R. Solien also ordered Ferguson to drink no alcohol, to enter no liquor establishments and to have no contact with Brandon's family. He also was ordered to pay a fine and restitution. He was given 30 days to report to the Ramsey County Jail.

Lisa Roggenkamp Rakotz, senior assistant Aitkin County attorney, said three family members made victim impact statements before sentencing.

Nicole Lanie, Brandon's stepmother, said the last year had been a nightmare for the family, noting that Ferguson put the family through the ordeal of a trial rather than admit his guilt.

Rakotz read statements in court on behalf of Brandon's mother, Debi Hulett, and his 10-year-old half-sister, Kaelan Lanie.

Kaelan talked about the family taking in a stray dog shortly before Brandon's death. The dog was named Buddy, which also was Brandon's nickname. She said she believes Brandon sent Buddy to the family as an angel, Rakotz said.

Ferguson also gave a statement, saying he'll live with his decision to shoot at what he thought was a deer for the rest of his life, Rakotz said.

"Nothing that the court can do ... can make up for the loss the Brandon Lanie family is feeling," Rakotz said. "Hunters have a responsibility that they have to be absolutely sure of their target. I hope it sends a message to hunters to that effect."

Ferguson testified during the trial that he thought he shot at the shoulder of a deer. Rakotz said that's not good enough.

"Hunters need to be sure they are seeing a deer that they see the entire animal," she said.

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Information from: The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, http://www.brainerddispatch.com

© 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

[Thor]

I have to wonder, was Brian wearing blaze orange?? If so, then there's no excuse for Ferguson. To be out in the woods and NOT wearing blaze orange seems almost suicidal to me, however, as I said in the other thread, there's really no excuse for a hunter not to KNOW exactly WHAT they are shooting at.

[cobb]

Isn't this the one from last year that the shooter said he had been drinking, and even that was in violation of some other conviction that he had on his record?

[jaysong]

In a defensive shoot maybe, but hunting?. One year is not enough in my opinion.

[ttousi]

I'm sorry but 1 year is a joke.

[plblark]

From what I've heard:
1) the shooter shouldn't even have had guns ... Felony DWI IIRC
2) No remorse until sentencing statements. Perhaps that comes from his attorney (don't admit fault) but holy crap.
3) 50 - 75 yards, 1 hour before sunset and the victim was wearing Blaze and was shot twice... not a good scenario.

anyone else see that a man shot his grandson in Wisconsin... Grandson had covered in a white, brown, and green blanket on his walk out.

[macphisto]

There are no winners in a tragic scenario like this and I fully agree with those of you saying the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

Did he intend to kill a young man when he set out for the hunt that day? I can't imagine he did.

Was he negligent and stupid? Without a doubt.

Will a year in the clink be enough time for him to think about what he did? Probably; if he's a decent human being, it will be with him for the rest of his days.

[Jeff]

If the Judge had sentenced him to more than a year, then he would have been going to prison and no probation.

I don't know what he criminal history was but unless he had more than a felony DWI, the one year in jail is the most jail time the Judge could give based on sentencing "guidelines."