Hunter cleared in manslaughter trial
Last Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009 | 7:43 AM ET
The Canadian Press
A Barrie, Ont., judge has found a Toronto-area hunter not guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of a hiker.
Justice Peter Howden acquitted Frederick Thomas on Thursday in the shooting death of Marianne Schmid.
The 67-year-old woman was shot in the stomach in November 2006, while walking in a small forest just east of Orangeville.
The Keswick man admitted firing two shots at a deer and said he didn't see a woman, but minutes later found Schmid lying on the forest trail.
Howden said he hopes governments will take steps to reduce recreational conflicts in multi-use public forests.
The forest where Schmid died allows hiking, horseback riding, hunting and other outdoor activities at the same time.
Area residents have demanded that hunting be banned in the forest.
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