WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Hunter Pleads Not Guilty in Son's Shooting
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St. Johnsbury, Vermont - July 6, 2009
More than 150 people packed the courtroom in a show of support for 45-year-old Kevin Kadamus. He was there to be charged with manslaughter two months after he shot his son Jake while the father and son were turkey hunting. Kevin Kadamus told police he mistook his son for a turkey after the 17-year-old deviated from their hunting plan.
The tragedy triggered a huge outpouring of sympathy and support for the family because Jake was a popular student athlete and his father a respected community leader. Supporters and his lawyers insist that Kevin Kadamus has committed no crime.
"Accidents happen. And there is a difference between an accident and a crime," said David Sleigh, Kadamus' lawyer.
Sleigh asked the judge to dismiss the manslaughter charge. He claims the state cannot prove that Kevin Kadamus was negligent, so there was no crime.
"The tragedy is that Jake didn't stay where he had agreed to stay and an accident happened," Sleigh said. "You can't be held criminally liable, that is criminally liable for simple negligence in other words making a mistake."
But Judge Howard Vanbenthuysen ruled the state has enough evidence to support the charge.
Kevin Kadamus pled not guilty to the charge that carries a potential 15-year prison term-- but in recent years hunters who mistakenly killed received a one-year sentence.
After the hearing, Kadamus and his supporters gathered outside the courthouse. Kadamus declined comment but his brother-in-law Tom Loftus read a prepared statement on behalf of the family.
"The state of Vermont has had several opportunities within the law to let the family grieve and not pursue criminal charges," Loftus said. "Instead the state has chosen to move forward in a quest to further punish Kevin as if his lifetime of separation from his son he held so dear is not sufficient."
Kevin Kadamus left with his wife and family as his supporters sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
For now Kevin Kadamus is released on personal recognizance to prepare with his lawyers for the possibility that he may have to go to trial for killing his own son.
Brian Joyce - WCAX News
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