PORTLAND, Maine — A Windham man accused of fatally shooting another hunter has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
William Briggs was released on personal recognizance and barred from hunting at his brief arraignment on Thursday.
Authorities say the Briggs, 61, shot Peter Kolofsky, 46, in the Sebago woods on Nov. 5.
Briggs was hunting deer with his brother while Kolofsky was hunting alone near his home. All three men were experienced hunters.
Briggs’ lawyer has said his client fired after seeing what he thought were antlers and tells The Portland Press Herald his client “feels sick” about the case.
Kolofsky, who was wearing bright orange, was pronounced dead at the scene. Briggs and his brother called for help.
Maine law requires hunters to positively identify their targets before shooting.
So he shot the guy (who was wearing blaze orange) and “feels sick” about it…and Maine law requires you to POSITIVELY IDENTIFY your target…yet he pleads “not guilty.”
Not guilty by reason of stupidity, maybe?
Indeed. Yet another criminal not owning up to their actions. I hope this is considered during sentencing.
He is hoping for some kind of inappropriate evidence collection or a miracle it seems , probably wants a jury trial to drag it out. Thus hoping that the DA will offer him a plea bargain !
It almost standard to plea not guilty sometimes the judge will not accept a guilty plea .
“Briggs’ lawyer has said his client fired after seeing what he thought were antlers and tells The Portland Press Herald his client ‘feels sick’ about the case.” Apparently they were not antlers and since you didn’t POSITIVELY identify your target, you are guilty.
since when did deer start wearing orange??
sorry had to say that but this guy was in the wrong he knows it he should just plead guilty because he is and just claim it was an accident I mean I think it was an accident maybe he ment to do it well hes guilty either way.
I’m sure he didn’t “mean” to shoot the guy because if the authorities thought he “meant” to do it, they would’ve charged him with murder. Accidents happen, but he is still guilty of shooting the guy.
I agree
They are clever animals ! HE HE HE HE !
If he feels so sick about this, why is he pleading not guilty?