A 51-year-old Evergreen man charged of two bear cubs outside of his home has been convicted of three counts — including a felony — in the case, prosecutors say.
Daniel Williams was found guilty of illegal discharge of a firearm, a Class 5 felony, and two misdemeanor counts — animal cruelty and illegal possession of wildlife — according to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
Pam Russell, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office, says a jury in the case returned the verdict on Friday afternoon after deliberating for the full day. Williams was acquitted of charges of black bear hunting out of season and shooting from a public road.
Dan Williams found G of 1 fel, 2 misd in bear shooting in Evergreen. G of lesser misd Animal Cruelty, not fel as charged. Acquitted on 2 cts
— DA Peter A. Weir (@DA1Colorado)
Authorities say Williams shot the two bears in September 2015, which were with their mother, after being awakened when they were going through his trash cans. He fired two rubber shotgun rounds at the cubs as he tried to shoo them away, the county sheriff’s office said.
During that time, Williams’ dog ran out, authorities said, and William fired a third, live round at the cubs, . One of the bears died and the other was wounded and later euthanized by state wildlife officials.
The live round also struck a neighbor’s house and went into a window, the sheriff’s office said.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers had provided Williams with the rubber buckshot he fired at the bears, .
Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, prosecutors say.
