Charges have been filed in Colorado’s 14th Judicial District in connection with a hunting death earlier this month in the Rifle area. According to the District Attorney’s Office, a single charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class 5 felony, was filed against 52 year-old Harry Watkins on November 18th. The charge arises from the shooting death of 26-year-old Simon Howell on November 9th. The press release from the District Attorney’s Office states that Mr. Watkins and Mr. Howell were members of a hunting party in rugged terrain in western Grand County at the time of the shooting. “The rules of hunting safety exist to keep this exact kind of tragedy from happening,” shares District Attorney Matt Karzen. “Complacency and lack of discipline is all it takes for someone to be killed.”. Mr. Wakins is scheduled in Grand County Court on December 22nd. Charges are merely accusations, and all persons are presumed innocent unless and until their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
