GUILTY IN - Zachary Rock, 11, fatally shot in hunting accident, Clay Township, 13 Sept 2020

[JerseyGirl]

John Varndell Jr., 40, appeared before St. Clair County District Court for an examination hearing Wednesday.

Ronald Rohn Jr., Christian Washburn, Scott Washburn Jr., and Joady Rohn testified they were hunting with Varndell and his stepson, Zachary Rock, on their relative's private property in Clay Township on Sept. 13.

Varndell and Zachary went in the woods on the property and returned earlier that day to say they had shot and injured a deer. After dinner time, Varndell, Zachary, Ronald Rohn Jr., Christian Washburn, Scott Washburn Jr., Joady Rohn and another young relative left to find the deer, witnesses said.

Christian Washburn said he noticed a pistol at Varndell's waistband prior to going out to search for the deer.

Ronald Rohn, Jody Rohn and Scott Washburn said the only person that had a gun that they were aware of was Scott Washburn.

The group decided to split up to search for the deer after finding a blood trail but eventually losing it. Varndell went with Ronald Rohn Jr., Christian Washburn, and Jody Rohn. Zachary went with another young relative and Scott Washburn Jr.

Several witnesses said Varndell said he thought he saw a deer, but shot Zachary.

more to the story... Fort Wayne, IN, man bound over to circuit court on involuntary manslaughter charges

Varndell was released from parole in January for a felony firearms charge.

His bond is set at $500,000 cash/surety.

 

[borndem]

This kind of thing has happened before and will again. Some of these situations are tragic accidents. Some aren't.
A work friend of mine lost his 20 y/o son in a deer hunting incident. The son's cousin shot him, and law enforcement saw evidence that needed further investigation. The LEOs found evidence that indicated that an accident did not occur, and he was eventually convicted of 2nd degree murder. A horrible situation.
Please note: I am not saying or even thinking that bad intentions were involved in this situation here.
I am simply saying that an investigation may be done -- I have no idea if there is some type of required protocol in these situations.

 

[JerseyGirl]

UPDATE: John Varndell Jr. testifies during his own trial

Taking the stand in his own defense in his trial Thursday, John Varndell Jr. said he was "100%" sure he was shooting at a deer when he shot and killed his 11-year-old stepson in a hunting incident.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

UPDATE: John Varndell Jr. convicted for death of 11-year-old stepson

I feel so very sorry for this 11-year-old-child, other innocent relatives, and especially his mother.

 

[borndem]

Agree, @ChatteringBirds -- no winners here. What a tragedy.

 

[JerseyGirl]

UPDATE: John Varndell Jr. convicted for death of 11-year-old stepson

I feel so very sorry for this 11-year-old-child, other innocent relatives, and especially his mother.

Varndell was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, two felony firearms second offense charges and a habitual fourth violent offender.

The prosecution said even if John Varndell Jr. did not intend to kill his 11-year-old stepson, the boy's death came as a result of Varndell's intentional choices.

"The only thing we know 100% is that Zachary Rock is dead ... because of the defendant's choices, because the defendant failed to put safety first."

Varndell is scheduled for a sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 9.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Varndell was sentenced to between 30 and 50 years in prison.

He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and four other counts in July for the death of his stepson Zachary, who police aid he shot in a hunting incident in Clay Township on Sept. 13.

Mother of child killed in shooting speaks at Varndell's sentencing