Hunting death trial in a legal wrangle over admissibility of statement

Mary Beth Harshbarger. — The Canadian Press photo

Published on September 21, 2010; Published on September 21, 2010
The Canadian Press ~ The News

Topics :: Supreme Court , RCMP , Newfoundland and Labrador , Grand Falls , U.S.

Grand Falls-Windsor — Lawyers at the trial of a U.S. woman who shot her husband on a hunting trip to Newfoundland are sparring over whether a statement she gave to police should be admitted as evidence.

Mary Beth Harshbarger of Pennsylvania is being tried by judge alone in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador for criminal negligence causing death.

The 45-year-old hunter has said she shot her husband Mark four years ago after mistaking him for a bear.

Two RCMP officers interviewed the accused about six hours after the killing.

At issue in the special closed hearing is whether the interview can be admitted as evidence.

Mary Beth Harshbarger fatally shot her 42-year-old husband as the couple hunted for moose and bear near Buchans Junction.

If convicted, she faces a penalty of four years to a life term in prison.

Justice Richard LeBlanc is hearing the judge-alone trial in Grand Falls-Windsor.

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