A hunter who had killed a man believing that it was a deer came out of prison to a third of his 18 -month sentence, but he can now forget a return to hunting.
• Read also: Confused with a deer: 18 months in prison for a hunter who killed a walker
“You do not show traits associated with a criminal personality. You will not present an unacceptable risk for society as part of an early release, “said the Quebec Conditional Liberations Commission in the last days.
Jean-Yves Arguin, 59, will thus be able to continue to serve his sentence, received for a tragic manslaughter committed in November 2021, outside the prison.
At dusk
That day, the resident of Estrie had gone to hunting the deer in Virginia. The day fell so well that hunting was no longer allowed. Despite everything, he had continued his activity with a friend, who then warned him that he observed activity in the sector.
“Believing then seeing a deer, you fired in its direction,” explains the commission. However, you actually confused the animal with a man living in a nearby trailer. ”
Victim Matthew Gerendai, who was walking around 300 m from the shooter, was reached three times. She died on the scene.
“He must ensure that the target is well identified and also to hunt under conditions which allow him to clearly identify the target. He sincerely believed it was a deer. Obviously, he was mistaken, “said the crown prosecutor Me Louis Fouquet during court hearings.
Regrets and remorse
Sentenced to 18 months in prison last February, Arguin was an exemplary detainee, not the subject of any disciplinary report. And again to date, he continues to blame himself for this “fatal error”.
“You said that, if a backtrack was possible, you would do everything to correct this fatal error,” notes the commission, which underlines the regrets and remorse of man.
As the first preparatory outings had gone well, that he had been able to find a job and that he had scrupulously respected all the orders given to him, Arguin was able this time to obtain his parole.
However, he will have to respect a series of conditions, including those of not consuming alcohol and consulting a psychiatrist “if necessary”.
He will also be forbidden to have certain types of weapons, including rifles, which will prevent him from returning to hunting.
