A judge in Union County awards a man four million dollars after he's shot in the head by a former convict who mistook him for a turkey.
The lawyer representing the victim says this was really a case about a man who was a convicted felon illegally using a gun, and having no regard for human safety.
“Think about it, a guy who never should have had a gun,” explained Attorney Joe Chapman. “He was in the woods with a gun when he was prohibited because he was a convicted felon.”
Attorney Joe Chapman explains how his client, Michael Hobbins, won four million dollars after Leroy Miller shot him, mistaking him for a turkey.
“He was a guy who violated the most simple fundamental rule of hunting, that is know your target before you pull the trigger,” Chapman added.
Hobbins was severely injured from the shot to the head, he was blinded and suffered aneurysms.
The two men were hunting separately, but in the same Union County area in 2010 when it happened.
According to testimony, Miller was behind a tree stalking a turkey, Miller heard a noise and fired at Hobbins. Hobbins, a former assistant high school football coach and avid runner, was found to have been following all game commission hunting rules.
“I think the judge wanted to send a message to people hunting in Union County that if you are prohibited from having a weapon you are not to be out in the woods and we are going to make an example out of you,” Chapman finished.
The lawyer representing the victim says this was really a case about a man who was a convicted felon illegally using a gun, and having no regard for human safety.
“Think about it, a guy who never should have had a gun,” explained Attorney Joe Chapman. “He was in the woods with a gun when he was prohibited because he was a convicted felon.”
Attorney Joe Chapman explains how his client, Michael Hobbins, won four million dollars after Leroy Miller shot him, mistaking him for a turkey.
“He was a guy who violated the most simple fundamental rule of hunting, that is know your target before you pull the trigger,” Chapman added.
Hobbins was severely injured from the shot to the head, he was blinded and suffered aneurysms.
The two men were hunting separately, but in the same Union County area in 2010 when it happened.
According to testimony, Miller was behind a tree stalking a turkey, Miller heard a noise and fired at Hobbins. Hobbins, a former assistant high school football coach and avid runner, was found to have been following all game commission hunting rules.
“I think the judge wanted to send a message to people hunting in Union County that if you are prohibited from having a weapon you are not to be out in the woods and we are going to make an example out of you,” Chapman finished.