BEER AND BOREDOM

Sr. Agt. Duane Taylor

Let’s face it, the dog days of summer in Louisiana can make daytime outdoor activities difficult. The high temperatures and the high humidity combine to send the heat index well over 100 degrees unless you can get an afternoon shower. Unless you have to work in it, most people will only venture out for their outdoor activities during low light conditions. For some it is VERY low light conditions.

This is an actual case in which a group of friends decided on how to beat the boredom of the “dog days” of summer. The first ingredient for this recipe is liquid Barley and Hops, also known as Beer, and lots of it. Mixing the beer with boredom can cause some people to stray from the “norm” of society.

On the morning of June 14, 2001, Lt. Mike Rockett received a complaint of some night hunting that occurred the night prior and into the morning of  6-14-01. The subject that called in the complaint told of at least two deer (both does) being shot on their little boredom bursting outing. A location was given as to where the deer were cleaned. It was also learned that “they” shot several deer, but if the deer did not fall immediately, they would drive on and look for another. When both deer were cleaned, each had fawns in them.

On the day of 6-14-2001, Lt. Rockett, and Senior Agents Lane Kincaid, Thomas Risser, and I went to the address provided by the informant. At this location, we contacted three men (only 1 involved) and interrupted another anti-boredom party as the “Tall Boy” cans of liquid ignorance were flowing already. After identifying ourselves, and reading all of them their Miranda Rights, all denied knowing anything about any deer being shot or cleaned at the residence. One of the men told us that he lived at the residence. We asked him if he cared if we looked around. He replied no, go ahead and suit yourself.

Located beside the residence was a barn with an overhang. Hanging from one of the rafters was a rope. I approached the rope and saw that it was covered in what appeared to be blood. On the ground under the rope was what appeared to be blood, deer hair, tallow and bone fragments. There was an extension cord covered in blood along with a T-shirt also covered in blood. We also located a slingblade that was covered with blood, deer hair, bone fragments, and tallow. I learned from watching Dragnet reruns that this could be a possible clue, so evidence was collected and photographs were taken.

We confronted Mr. Tall Boy about the evidence. Evidently, enough cans of ignorance cause short term memory loss as he said he knew nothing of it. Even though he had been sitting about 30 yards from it, we somewhat doubted his story. At this time another vehicle pulled into the yard of the residence. We identified ourselves and he was advised of his rights.

He admitted that he also lived at this residence. We asked him about the deer. Evidently enough cans of ignorance can cause long term memory loss as well because he knew nothing of the deer. Even when he was shown the evidence, he still denied knowing anything about it. After a short time of standing in the High-Noon June sun, he finally confessed. He told us that he had nothing to do with shooting the deer, but Mr. Tall Boy and a couple of his friends had. He said that one of the deer had been cleaned under the barn. It was inside the residence in the freezer.

We escorted him inside his residence. He opened the freezer and low and behold, there was a bloody and unfrozen deer carcass. Above that was several plastic bags that contained a quartered deer. He also retrieved a 7 mm magnum rifle that was used to shoot the deer. Evidently, Mr. Tall Boy thought confession of the sole was good for the body, so he admitted to shooting the deer just before dark on Hwy 132 in Richland Parish. Evidently it felt good to “get it off his chest” as he also gave us a written confession. I told him that by coming clean, it would keep him from visiting a very unfriendly place, where it would cost him some money just so they would let him out. He then told us that he was scared because he was on probation.

He then told us the details of the hunt, who was with him and all of the important information. He even told us where we could find his night hunting buddy. A short time later we made contact with him. Once again, too many cans of ignorance was causing a memory lapse as he didn’t know anything about it until we told him that Mr. Tall Boy had provided us with a written confession and we had the deer. He agreed to follow us back to the residence where the confession bug bit him and he admitted to his part in the crime.

A short time later another truck pulled into the yard. Two men got out. I met them, identified myself and read both of them their rights. Too many cans of ignorance had taken its toll on this whole crew as they denied knowing anything about it. Agt. Kincaid looked in the bed of their truck and it contained deer hair and blood. The thought of losing that shiny new Ford truck was more than the owner could bare, so the short term memories popped back into their heads and they also confessed to the crime.

When the truth came out, Mr. Tall Boy seemed to be the ring leader of this Redneck Circus. He not only took a deer in Richland Parish and brought it home and cleaned it, he went back with the other two men and shot another deer in south Ouachita Parish. Since his summer outing expanded over two parishes, and it was around 2:00 am the next morning, he got a double dose of hunting awards. When it was all said and done, a total of 18 criminal citations were issued as well as civil citations. Two deer and the rifle were seized. The deer were later donated to charity.

  While I was issuing the last citation, I just had to ask the man what possessed them to go out in the middle of June and night hunt. He looked at me and said, “We were just sitting around drinking and got bored and decided to go shoot a deer.”

No names were mentioned as this case is still pending in court