Vermont Jury Awards Man $380K for Turkey Hunt Wounds

A jury has awarded $380,557 to a Vermont turkey hunter hit by 52 shotgun pellets fired by another hunter.

The Windsor County Superior Court jury returned the award last week against Ralph Townsend of Hartland for the May 2008 incident in Woodstock.

Townsend was sued by William Rea (Ray) of Barnard, who suffered a collapsed lung and other injuries.

Rea’s attorney Ross Feldmann tells the Rutland Herald the award was fair.

Townsend’s attorney John Boylan said it’s too early to say if his client will appeal.

At the time of the shooting, Townsend told game wardens he thought he was shooting at a turkey.

Townsend pleaded no contest to charges stemming from the shooting and he was given a suspended sentence.