Dad to be jailed 30 days for killing son while hunting

Tony and Hunter Klaseus

Anthony Klaseus' sentence also includes counseling, community service, and alcohol and hunting restrictions.

Star Tribune

Last update: August 25, 2008 - 8:38 PM

Anthony Klaseus was sentenced to 30 days in jail Monday in Sibley County District Court for fatally shooting his 8-year-old son while they were hunting turkeys.

Klaseus had pleaded guilty in June to felony second-degree manslaughter in the April 19 death of Hunter Klaseus. Charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, trespassing and hunting without a license were dropped.

Klaseus, 40, will be given work release while serving his time in the Sibley County jail, said his attorney, Patrick Flanagan. The charge will be downgraded to a misdemeanor at the end of his probation.

Klaseus was also fined $50 and ordered to undergo chemical assessment, remain in counseling, abstain from alcohol and hunting, and perform 400 hours of community service, including hunter safety education, Flanagan said.

The prosecution had sought 90 days in jail.

"We respect the judge's decision," Flanagan said. "We had hoped for no jail time."

Flanagan said his client is struggling through counseling and is taking things day by day. "It's something you're never going to forget," he said.

The elder Klaseus told authorities he thought his son was a turkey. His son, who was dressed in full camouflage, had followed him after being told to stay put as his father circled a field to approach some turkeys. Klaseus heard something snap near him, saw a figure and shot, killing his son.

Court records show that Klaseus had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time. He had a blood-alcohol-concentration of 0.06 percent at the scene. Several partly empty beer packs and a marijuana pipe were found in his truck.

Klaseus and his family moved from their Belle Plaine home, but continue to live in the area.

CHAO XIONG

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