Saturday, June 12, 2004
From staff reports
LAWRENCE TWP. -- Deerfield Township Mayor John Stanzione
appeared in front of Lawrence Township municipal court Friday afternoon,
regarding his actions in a December 2003 hunting accident.
During the hearing, only two witnesses for the state had a
chance to testify, the victim of the accident, Frank Manno, and an official
from the state Department of Fish and Game.
"Just a few people testified today," Stanzione said Friday
afternoon. "It was all the state's side."
While out deer hunting early in the morning near Lebanon
Road, Stanzione fired his muzzleloader at a deer and accidentally hit
Manno's car, Fish and Game officer Doug Ely explained after the incident.
"Mr. Stanzione had a deer come across the field toward
him, he fired and missed the deer," Ely said. "His projectile went
from where he shot to the vehicle of Mr. Manno, who was traveling eastbound
on
Lebanon Road."
The bullet, Ely said, went through the windshield of
Manno's car on the passenger side and moved diagonally to the driver's side
and lodged in the headrest, no more than two inches from Manno's head.
"Maybe he should have used better judgment in a developed
area, but he was very forthcoming with information and he was sorry for what
happened," Ely said following the accident.
Ely said in December that Stanzione was expected to be
charged with civil penalties and that he may lose his hunting privileges for
two years, have to pay a fine and take safety courses.
The case is expected to resume next Friday when the state
plans on finishing their case and the defense hopes to have a chance to
present its side.
The exact duration of this hearing is not known at this
time, Stanzione said.
"It will be up to the judge," he said. "I'll just be happy
when it is concluded."
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