Published: May 28, 2008 11:15 am         

Mount Savage resident receives probation, fine in hunting accident that claimed man's life

CUMBERLAND - A Mount Savage man was sentenced Tuesday in connection with a fatal hunting accident that claimed the life of a Rawlings man in December.

Eric Franklin Riggs, 32, was sentenced in Allegany County Circuit Court by Judge Gary G. Leasure to the maximum possible penalty for negligent hunting, a $1,500 fine. Leasure suspended $500 of the fine and placed Riggs on two years of probation.

In addition, Riggs was ordered not to hunt or utilize firearms in any manner while on probation, and to appear in a video to be used during hunter safety classes in Maryland.

Riggs pleaded guilty in April to negligent hunting in connection with the shooting death of James Wayne Dawson, 46, on Dec. 8, the final day of the Maryland firearms season for deer.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State's Attorney Mark L. Alexander. Riggs was represented by Cumberland attorney Ramon Rozas.