A hunter in Pennsylvania will plead guilty to the shooting death of an 18-year-old man who was watching a sunset at a lake in a state park with his girlfriend.
Kenneth Troy Heller, 52, of Warminster, handed himself over to authorities on Wednesday and was detained without bail during a preliminary ruling. He agreed during a court appearance in April to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges.
“Obviously this is not a perfect ending, but perfect would mean we have Jason back,” said Bucks District Attorney Matt Weintraub. “It’s just not how real life works.”
Kenneth Troy Heller
(Bucks County District Attorney’s Office)
Prosecutors said 18-year-old Jason Kutt was shot in the back of the head on Oct. 24 while sitting with his girlfriend on the shores of Lake Nockamixon in Nockamixon State Park. Kutt’s friend told police she saw a man in an orange vest standing behind a yellow gate, about 550 meters away, looking at their shooting in their direction, Weintraub said.
On Tuesday, Heller and his attorney met with detectives and he admitted to firing the shot that killed Kutt, Weintraub said. Heller is charged with culpable homicide, the reckless threat of another person, possession of an instrument of crime, possession of a prohibited offensive weapon and two violations of the hunting law, Weintraub said.
Prosecutors shot and killed Jason Albert Kutt, 18, in October while watching a sunset with his girlfriend.
(Bucks County District Attorney’s Office)
Investigators have narrowed down their list of potential suspects after locating three vehicles seen in the park, one of which belonged to Heller. After the shooting, he did not show up for work the following Monday and was ‘shaken’ when he returned on Tuesday, Heller’s associates told authorities.
“I do not believe it was Mr Heller’s intention to kill Jason Kutt,” Weintraub said. “He never knew the man, they had no animus. It was not a ‘Hey, I’m gonna try it out and see what it’s like to be a killer’ for Mr Heller. He expressed remorse . “
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Heller’s associates also said he gave away his firearms, hunting gear and ammunition after the shooting. On December 10, Weintraub produced a 17-caliber Marlin rifle, ammunition, and an orange hunting jacket with a hunting license issued to Heller on December 10.
Heller is sentenced to 20 years in prison. Weintraub said Kutt’s family agreed to the plea agreement.