PA: Man accused of shooting a woman while hunting

Thursday, Jul. 16, 2009

Hunter faces trial in shooting
Officers: Man didn't identify, help victim

BELLEFONTE - A man who is accused of mistakenly shooting a Boalsburg woman while hunting for turkey on May 13 will face trial on charges he failed to identify his target or help the woman after the shooting.

Donald D. Lansberry on Wednesday waived his right to have a preliminary hearing to determine if the state Game Commission has enough evidence to prosecute him.

According to the Game Commission, Lansberry, 53, still holds a valid hunting license, and so is permitted to hunt.

"Unless and until he is convicted, he is considered innocent," said spokesman Jerry Feaser. "Upon conviction, a judge has the discretion as to how many years to set revocation."

Lansberry is accused of firing a single shot at Elizabeth Stricker, 55, who was hit in her left eye and the left side of her face with several pellets while walking her dog around 6:45 a.m.

It happened on wooded land, owned by Biddle Farm, that borders the Tussey Mountain Ski Area in Harris Township.

Wildlife conservation officer Christopher J. Deal charged Lansberry in June with two misdemeanors, saying he violated a basic rule of hunting by not identifying his target, and didn't immediately render aid after the accident.

Lansberry told police he saw something blue moving through the brush "like a turkey would," and fired his shot. Lansberry said he heard screaming, but "didn't know" why he didn't go to help, Deal wrote in court documents.
Lansberry then left the scene and went to a nearby farm, court papers say.

His attorney, Robert Bascom, declined to comment, and Lansberry wasn't present in court Wednesday.

The Game Commission doesn't keep statistics on how many prosecutions follow hunting accidents each year.

"In most cases, officers use discretion and consult with the district attorney when filing charges involving hunting-related shooting incidents,"
Feaser said.

Last year, accidental shootings during turkey hunting seasons were topped only by those during deer season, the commission reported.

There were 10 total turkey hunting accidents in the fall turkey and spring gobbler seasons. None were fatal.

Of the 35 total reported hunting accidents during that year, 60 percent involved a person injured by someone else's weapon, and eight involved victims who were mistaken for game. In 32 of the 35 incidents, the victim was also hunting.

If Lansberry is convicted, a judge could immediately revoke his hunting license. But, the judge could also choose not to impose any immediate license restrictions, meaning Lansberry would keep a valid license until it comes up for renewal by the Game Commission the next July.

Strickler couldn't be reached for comment or for an update on her recovery.

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