A Pennsylvania hunter pleaded guilty to shooting an 18-year-old man who was watching a waterfront sunset in a national park with his girlfriend.
Kenneth Troy Heller, 52, of Warminster, surrendered to authorities on Wednesday and was held without bail during the interim trial. He agreed to plead guilty of involuntary manslaughter and other charges in court in April.
“Obviously this isn’t the perfect ending. Perfect would mean we have Jason back, ”said Matt Weintraub, attorney for the Bucks District Court. “It’s just not how reality works.”
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Kenneth Troy Heller
(Prosecutor Bucks County)
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According to prosecutors, 18-year-old Jason Kutt was shot in the head on October 24 while he was sitting with his girlfriend on the edge of Lake Nockamixon near Nockamixon National Park. Kutt’s girlfriend told police she saw a man in an orange vest standing behind a yellow gate about 500 meters away and looking at her after the shooting, Weintraub said.
On Tuesday, Heller and his lawyer met with investigators and admitted they fired the shot that killed Kutt, Weintraub said. Heller was charged with manslaughter, negligent endangering of another person, possession of equipment for a crime, possession of a prohibited libel weapon, and two violations of hunting laws, Weintraub said.
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According to prosecutors, 18-year-old Jason Albert Kutt was shot dead in October while watching the sunset with his girlfriend.
(Prosecutor Bucks County)
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Investigators narrowed their list of potential suspects after tracking down three vehicles seen in the park, one of which belonged to Heller. After the shooting, he did not return to work the following Monday and was visibly “shocked” when he returned on Tuesday, employees from Heller told the authorities.
“I don’t think Mr. Heller intended to shoot to kill Jason Kutt,” said Weintraub. “He never knew the man, they had no hostility. It wasn’t, ‘Hey, I’ll try and see what it’s like to be a killer for Mr. Heller. He expressed repentance. “
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Heller’s colleagues also said they fired firearms, hunting equipment and ammunition after the shooting. A search of his vehicle on Dec. 10 revealed a 17-caliber Marlin rifle, ammunition and an orange hunting vest with a 2020 Heller fishing license on the back of the vest, Weintraub said.
Heller can expect up to 20 years in prison. Weintraub said Kutt’s family agreed to the agreement.
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