gunsmith
member
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/merc...s/california/northern_california/14186072.htm
Orange County homeowner who shot mountain lion won't face charges
Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. - A man who shot a mountain lion in his backyard won't be criminally charged because he acted in self-defense, prosecutors said.
In January, Bill Hill of Rancho Santa Margarita fired two rounds at the animal with a 9 mm pistol after his wife saw it and screamed.
The 90-pound cat fled from the residence into a ravine near an elementary school, and authorities killed the animal 90 minutes later.
State authorities had recommended a misdemeanor charge be filed against the 52-year-old Hill, a former Stanton police officer and now a private investigator.
But prosecutors said Friday they will not file charges.
"He was shooting in self-defense in the sense that he was worried about the community and children walking to school at the time," said Deputy District Attorney Steve Yonemura.
Sport hunting of mountain lions in California has been barred since 1972. The state, however, does issue permits authorizing the killing of mountain lions that pose a risk to people and domestic animals.
Orange County homeowner who shot mountain lion won't face charges
Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. - A man who shot a mountain lion in his backyard won't be criminally charged because he acted in self-defense, prosecutors said.
In January, Bill Hill of Rancho Santa Margarita fired two rounds at the animal with a 9 mm pistol after his wife saw it and screamed.
The 90-pound cat fled from the residence into a ravine near an elementary school, and authorities killed the animal 90 minutes later.
State authorities had recommended a misdemeanor charge be filed against the 52-year-old Hill, a former Stanton police officer and now a private investigator.
But prosecutors said Friday they will not file charges.
"He was shooting in self-defense in the sense that he was worried about the community and children walking to school at the time," said Deputy District Attorney Steve Yonemura.
Sport hunting of mountain lions in California has been barred since 1972. The state, however, does issue permits authorizing the killing of mountain lions that pose a risk to people and domestic animals.
