Five in ill-fated hunting party are declared Carnegie Heroes (WI Deer Hunters)

StarTribune.com ^ | 12/21/06 | Larry Oakes

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

When deer hunter Chai Soua Vang, of St. Paul, opened fire on a large party of other hunters in northern Wisconsin in 2004, some of the people he killed, wounded and endangered were trying to save the lives of their friends and family members, according to official accounts of the melee. Five members of the party were recognized Thursday -- three posthumously -- with medals from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. The Pittsburgh-based fund carries out the instructions of the late steel mogul Andrew Carnegie to recognize and assist North American civilians who put their lives on the line to save others.

Vang, 37, was sentenced to life in prison for killing six deer hunters and wounding two after they confronted him for trespassing. A jury rejected his self-defense claims after he testified that some of the hunters, though unarmed, deserved to die because they disrespected him.

Those honored included Jessica Willers, of Green Bay, Wis., and Allan Laski, of Haugen, Wis., who were shot and killed by Vang as they sped toward the scene on an ATV after hearing shots, including one that wounded Willers' father, Terry Willers, who lay bleeding in the woods. Jessica Willers was 27, and Laski was 43.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Ping to you and anyone else on the old list, which I don't have anymore......

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

If a change in government could ever be effected before this guy dies in prison, he needs to be hauled out and the matter finished with a public hanging. What a complete miscarriage of justice.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

The fear of his demise in a Wisconsin prison was so great, that he now resides in the state of Iowa......

[operation clinton cleanup]

Vang, 37, was sentenced to life in prison for killing six deer hunters and wounding two after they confronted him for trespassing. A jury rejected his self-defense claims after he testified that some of the hunters, though unarmed, deserved to die because they disrespected him.

Mass murderer hate crime convict gets life instead of dirt nap?

[bobby.223]

you know darn well why this savage is still above ground. so do I.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

No DP in Wisconsin.....just for now......

[dighton]

you know darn well why this savage is still above ground. so do I.

As it happens,

“The last execution in Wisconsin took place in 1851. John McCaffry was executed for drowning his wife in a barrel. The death penalty was formally abolished in 1853.”

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

And, if I hear the word "disrespect" one more time, as an excuse for murder...........

[Stonewall Jackson]

This is the first time I've ever heard of this award. It's too bad that three of the five were awarded to next-of-kin.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Brooklyn Center Police arrested three people in connection with a shooting that critically injured a man last week on Interstate 94.
Police say Jorge Quijada, 23, was the shooter. He's charged with attempted murder.
Quijada's sister, Claudia Launderville, 25, and a juvenile are charged with being accomplices after the crime. According to the criminal complaint, they tried to help Quijada hide the gun used in the shooting.
The victim, Pedro Marcelino Simon, 24, remains in critical condition at HCMC.
Police do not think the victim and suspects knew each other.
"He is truly a victim of a senseless crime," says Brooklyn Center Police Chief Scott Bechthold.
Simon was driving north on I-94 when he was shot in the head, police say. His car crashed into a frozen holding-pond area.
Early last week, authorities closed a stretch of I-94 to search for clues.
One day later, on Dec. 12, they received a tip that led them to 1638 Minnehaha Ave. W. in St. Paul. Investigators say they found the gun likely used in the shooting, and they gathered enough information to arrest Quijada.
Investigators believe Quijada was riding in the front passenger seat of one car when he shot at Simon's Dodge Intrepid.
"There was some sort-of exchange between the two vehicles that led to the shooting," says Lt. Scott Nadeau.
According to the criminal complaint, Quijada told his sister he started throwing gang signs at the other car. Simon started to laugh at Quijada and picked up his cell phone. Then Quijada took out his gun, pointed it at the victim and shot twice.
One shot hit Simon in the head.
Chief Bechthold met with Simon's family Monday. He says they're having a tough time figuring out why this happened.
"It is difficult to explain to them what would motivate an individual to shoot another over being disrespected," Bechthold says.
Police say Quijada has not confessed to the crime. But according to the criminal complaint, at least five people claim they heard Quijada talk about the shooting.
Police are still searching for Isai Flores, 19. Police believe he was driving when Quijada fired. Anyone with information about Flores is asked to call the Brooklyn Center Police Department at 763-569-3333.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Sorry about the formatting, I'm still a neophyte.

[perfect stranger]

He called Tuesday the happiest day of his life, saying he would no longer have to deal with things such as child support and mortgage payments.

[Razz Barry]

After he drops the soap a few times he'll change his mind.