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Crime & Safety

Deer Killer Dodges Bullet After Felony Gun Charge Dropped

Last Thursday, Common Pleas Judge Brian Corrigan ruled that Garwood Wilson Jr. was allowed to possess the gun that he used to kill a doe and her fawn last November -- even though he was convicted of a felony in 1984.

dodged a bullet last Thursday when Common Pleas Judge Brian Corrigan ruled that the former apartment manager would not be charged with possessing a gun after a felony conviction. 

According to Cleveland.com, prosecutors were pushing for a felony charge claiming Wilson had unlawfully possessed the gun that was used to shoot and kill a doe and her fawn behind the Lake Shore Towers Apartments last November. 

Prosecutors argued that since Wilson was convicted of burglarizing two unoccupied stores in Minnesota in 1984, he should have been barred from owning the weapon. 

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However, Corrigan ruled that the third-degree burglary was equivalent to Ohio’s breaking and entering offense, and not a violent crime that prohibits an offender from owning a gun. 

In January, Wilson served five days in jail and was fined $500 for cruelty to animals, killing deer without a permit and obstructing official business in Lakewood Municipal Court. 

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