Deer intentionally run down, beaten to death Panama City, FL (US) Incident Date: Saturday, Mar 5, 2005 County: Bay Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Chase Tolar Smeby » Mathew M Tucker

Case ID: 5940 Classification: Beating, Vehicular Animal: deer View more cases in FL (US) Animal was offleash or loose Login to Watch this Case

Criminal charges have been filed with the Department of Juvenile Justice against two Bay High School students for allegedly running over a deer inside St. Andrews State Park on the shoulder of the road the morning of March 5 and then killing the injured deer with a ball bat.

Chase Tolar Smeby, 17, of 1920 W. 27 St., Panama City, a senior, and Mathew M. Tucker, 17, of 2910 W. 14 St., Panama City, a junior, each face one felony charge of cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor charge of illegally killing a deer during the closed season. Charges against the pair were filed March 7, 2005 following an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

According to statements from witnesses who were present with Smeby and Tucker, the pair had gone to visit friends at a campsite in St. Andrews State Park the evening of March 4. The witnesses said about 1 a.m., they were in Smeby�s 1992 Z-71 truck when Smeby intentionally ran off the road and hit the 80-pound doe deer. After striking and injuring the deer, Smeby and Tucker are alleged to have killed the deer with a ball bat. The investigation also revealed a rider in the back of the truck, Thomas Reams, was thrown off the truck�s tool box when the truck accelerated toward the deer, knocking him unconscious.

FWC officer Donald Jenkins said he recovered the intact and undressed deer from a freezer in Tucker�s home.

Jenkins said one thing that became evident early on was several young people were present with Smeby and Tucker but wanted nothing to do with breaking any law. He said the person who filed the Wildlife Alert complaint reporting the incident was eligible but had declined a reward.

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References

Florida Fish/Wildlife Conservation Commission - March 15, 2005

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