A guy saunters into a cave and shoots a captive cougar point-blank. I think it is fair to call shameless Jason Roselius of Oklahoma City an over-privileged amoral cowardly prick. I’d be willing to contribute to the costs of putting up a billboard in OK City that says just that.
If you think justice was served in fining Roselius less than $600 while not even inconveniencing him with a court appearance, note that he paid $900,000 for Teddy Roosevelt’s shotgun. Teddy is spinning in his grave, fuming with rage over this rich bastard.
Lawyer makes deal in cougar killing | Albuquerque Journal News
According to Game and Fish officer case reports, Bidegain met Roselius in Tucumcari on the day of the hunt. When they arrived at the ranch, hunting dogs already had a male cougar cornered in a cave. Roselius got out of a truck, walked to the cave and killed the cougar with one shot from a .243-caliber rifle.
Roselius, Bidegain and the other men allegedly involved in the kill were charged with unlawful hunting because Game and Fish regulations say a hunter who kills a cougar must be present continuously once any dog is released.
Roselius also was charged with hunting without a license. While he had purchased a cougar license in New Mexico, he had failed to buy a required general game-hunting license and habitat management access validation stamp, according to Game and Fish.
Roselius entered his no contest plea in state Magistrate Court in Tucumcari as part of an agreement with the office of state District Attorney Timothy Rose.
In exchange for Roselius’ plea to unlawful hunting and his agreement to pay restitution and court costs, the DA’s Office dismissed the charge of hunting without a license. ..
Roselius didn’t appear in person for the plea hearing before Judge Buddy J. Hall, instead taking part by telephone.
Lawyer makes deal in cougar killing | Albuquerque Journal News
Judge Hall may have followed the letter of the law but he failed to teach this guy anything or to administer true justice. I’d have made Roselius serve 90 days mucking out mountain lion pens at the zoo and banned him from ever hunting again in New Mexico.