Pullman wolf shooting update 14 Sep 2015

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Pullman radio news just posted this on facebook

Pullman area man charged for allegedly killing wolf with expectation of eventual dismissal
 September 14, 2015
 By Evan Ellis

 The Pullman area man accused of shooting a wolf South of town has been charged with a misdemeanor, but the case will likely be resolved in six months with a dismissal. Jonathan Rasmussen was charged Monday with Second Degree Unlawful Taking of an Endangered Species in Whitman County District Court. Rasmussen is accused of fatally shooting a wolf just South of Pullman in October of last year. County Prosecutor Denis Tracy has put the case on hold in what’s called “A continuance for dismissal”. That means if Rasmussen pays a 100 dollars to the county for court costs and does not commit a fish and game violation over the next six months the charge will be dismissed. Tracy notes that this type of resolution is common for misdemeanor hunting violations and that Rasmussen himself was the one who reported the wolf kill. His gun and scope were confiscated by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents. This case marked the first in the state’s history that a wolf shooting suspect had been identified. Wolves are listed as endangered by the state in Eastern Washington. While the feds have delisted wolves in this part of the state.

[MtnMuley]

 

[gaddy]

I wonder what is the rest of the story ?

[Evil_EdwardO]

Exactly what I predicted.

Maybe the Defending lawyer will file for a continuance and everything will be dropped after 6 months of the initial court date. When Denis Tracy was the public defender back in the 90's he got me out of a felony fireworks charge by filing a continuance with the prosecutor. As long as I had nothing to do with fireworks for 6 months all charges were dropped per say and nothing is on my record.

[JimmyHoffa]

The part the court can't really dismiss is blasting his name out there for the animal fluffer whackos.  They bugged the dentist that shot the lion to the point he had to go into hiding and shut down his business.

[notellumcreek]

I would pay 100$ for a wolf tag in wa right now... Just saying.

[zike]

I would pay 100$ for a wolf tag in wa right now... Just saying.

Let see, $100.00 court fees, atty fees, and loss of rifle. Sounds more like at least a grand.

[cougarbart]

He will get his rifle back!

[2labs]

He will get his rifle back!

Says who? I wouldn't count on that.

[huntnnw]

  Or a year later with court costs

[Sumpnneedskillin]

He will get his rifle back!

According to the latest update on face book he won't get his rifle back.


Local WDFW Commander disappointed with likely outcome in Pullman area wolf killing case
 September 15, 2015
 By Evan Ellis

 The local commander of Washington Fish and Wildlife is disappointed with how the wolf shooting case near Pullman is expected to turn out. On Monday Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy charged Pullman area man Jonathan Rasmussen with misdemeanor Second Degree Unlawful Taking of an Endangered Species. If Rasmussen pays one hundred dollars in court costs and avoids another fish and game violation for the next six months the charge will be dropped. Rasmussen allegedly fatally shot a wolf South of Pullman in October and then called to report the kill. Tracy stated his decision to likely drop the case stems from the fact that primarily the killing was not malicious. Local fish and wildlife agents investigated the case under the command of Captain Dan Rahn who says he was hoping for a heavier punishment. Rasmussen’s rifle and scope were confiscated by state agents. Captain Rahn says those forfeited items continue to be property of the state and will never be returned. Wolves are still protected by the state in Eastern Washington. They are no longer under federal protection in the region

[cougarbart]

a continuance for dismal is a agreement that as long as no violations are done in a certain time period the prosecutor will not charge you with the crime! it means they will dismiss charges and it will not be a conviction and you get any evidence returned! In a game violation only the animal can be confiscated and not returned because of perishable nature!

[Hunterman]

a continuance for dismal is a agreement that as long as no violations are done in a certain time period the prosecutor will not charge you with the crime! it means they will dismiss charges and it will not be a conviction and you get any evidence returned! In a game violation only the animal can be confiscated and not returned because of perishable nature!

I wouldn't hold my breath on the rifle being returned. Talk to RTSprings about getting a rifle back.

Hunterman(Tony)

[Blacktail Sniper]

a continuance for dismal is a agreement that as long as no violations are done in a certain time period the prosecutor will not charge you with the crime! it means they will dismiss charges and it will not be a conviction and you get any evidence returned! In a game violation only the animal can be confiscated and not returned because of perishable nature!

I wouldn't hold my breath on the rifle being returned. Talk to RTSprings about getting a rifle back.

Hunterman(Tony)

Was going to say the same thing!!!

[bigtex]

a continuance for dismal is a agreement that as long as no violations are done in a certain time period the prosecutor will not charge you with the crime! it means they will dismiss charges and it will not be a conviction and you get any evidence returned! In a game violation only the animal can be confiscated and not returned because of perishable nature!

The firearm was seized for forfeiture, not solely seized as evidence. If it was solely seized as evidence then you would be correct. Since it was seized for forfeiture different laws apply.