State v. Samuelson et. al.

Magistrate Head Clerk Nym Shaw

Date: June 4th, 2025

Judge Name: Blake Moore, Nym Shaw

Clerk(s): Nym Shaw

DAO: Adam Navarro

Defendant:
109483 - Minnii Samuelson
108791 - Grub Jacobs
108872 - James Thatcher
103462 - Elmer Spud

Investigation #: 6284

Charges:
Charges for Elmer Spud:
1x False Imprisonment
1x Criminal Possession of a Class 1 Firearm - WOGH1090281727089
1x Theft of a Motor Vehicle - 67TUS005
1x Resisting
1x Evading
1x Criminal Posession of Weapons Attachments
15x Accomplice Second Degree Animal Cruelty

Charges for Minnie Samuelson, Grub Jacobs:
15x Accomplice Second Degree Animal Cruelty

Charges for James Thatcher:
15x Accomplice Second Degree Animal Cruelty
1x Negligent Ownership of a Firearm

Findings + Reasoning:

Magistrate Head Clerk Nym Shaw

Defendants all pled not guilty to all counts of Second Degree Animal Cruelty (and Accomplice)

Defendants all pled guilty to all other charges.

Magistrate HC Blake Moore

Defense provided a self defense argument shifting the burden to themselves. The Defense failed to meet the burden that the initial action against the mountain lion was in self defense. Because the initial action then caused the reaction with the other mountain lions protecting its pride and the initial action was not out of self defense, it is not this Court's opinion that self defense applies to the remaining mountain lion deaths. The other issue here is that the timeline does not match for self defense. The testimony and evidence provided demonstrated that an individual exited the vehicle, had his gun drawn and heard a "growl". Almost immediately, that individual began shooting at the mountain lion, however, at no time did the mountain lion leave the bush. Following this, rather than retreating - the group went further into the den to shoot down more mountain lions. Guilty on 15x Accomplice Second Degree Animal Cruelty.