Update On Wildlife Officer Deadly Shooting

May 1, 2009

The investigation into the deadly shooting of Clyde Coffey by North Carolina Wildlife Officer on the opening day of the turkey season continues. The SBI leads the Investigation which could take 6 weeks to complete and then it will be turned over to the local DA to decide whether charges should be filed. Officer Minton does have a lawyer and both will not comment until the SBI investigation is complete.
The court has sealed the 911 tapes which is interesting which begs the question does the radio traffic includes any background noise from Mr. Coffey threatening the officer?
The family has apparently gotten a lawyer as posts on hunting message forum have appeared recently looking to gather information.

[To Whom It May Concern:

On Sat., April 11th my uncle Clyde Coffey was shot and killed by Game Warden Mark Minton. Clyde was a hunter for more than 50 years. He was 76 years old, very hard of hearing, had suffered and survived two heart attacks in his life, on blood pressure and blood thinning meds. and had other ailments. Our family seeks justice and the SBI is still investigating the shooting.

I heard from a friend of mine that folks on this site had been talking about the shooting and I’m trying to locate that Forum. Could someone please direct me to that Forum. I was told it was under “Broadhead”….then go to “Anyone”, but I cannot locate it.
Can anyone help me?Thanks so much in advance for your prayers for our family.
turkeyhuntersniece
_________________
Turkey Hunters Niece
Game Warden Shoots and Kills Turkey Hunter, Clyde Coffey.
Pls. contact Coffey Family’s Atty. w/ any info.
Robert Karney, Atty. @ Law
email: bob@karneylaw.com
Phone: 704-376-7982 (Ofc.)
Toll Free: 1-877-376-7982 (Ofc.)

I’m unsure how any of this could shed any light given that all reports I’ve read suggest that only Officer Minton and Mr. Coffey were present at the shooting location.

I’ve been following this story pretty close and on a number of sites it seems many people believe that unless the SBI’s investigation shows that Mr. Coffey’s gun was fired then the officer is in the wrong. I strongly disagree and support all our officers having the right to defend themselves and not have to wait for the other individual to shoot first. I know Mr. Coffey’s family have painted a picture of a elderly old gentleman that was sitting in a treestand on his property minding his own business when some rogue officer confronted him and gunned him down. That is so over the top I think it is ridiculous. I believe that when this all shakes out we’ll see that a wildlife officer confronted a poacher and was forced to use deadly force when threatened. I also do not think that it is outside the realm of possibility that parts of the conversation between the officer and Mr. Coffey are on those sealed tapes.