Turkey hunter to serve 30 days in jail
August 28th, 2008A Belle Plaine man who accidentally killed his eight-year-old son while turkey hunting in Faxon Township last spring was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail and 10 years probation.
Anthony Klaseus apparently mistook his eight-year-old son, Hunter, for a turkey. The accident occurred April 19.
Earlier this summer, Klaseus pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter.
Klaseus will also be required to serve 400 hours of community service during the next five years, including involvement in teaching hunting safety, and completion of a chemical dependency program. He is also prohibited from owning, using, or possessing a firearm.
Judge Richard Perkins told the court that the incident “is more tragic than the headlines and the newscasts have portrayed.” He also told Klaseus that he “had a duty to (hunt safely), and you breached that duty.”
Following the incident, a breath test administered at the scene showed Klaseus had a blood-alcohol concentration of .06 percent. A urine test administrated later showed the presence of marijuana in his system.
Initially, Klaseus had also been charged with trespassing and hunting turkeys without a license.
