REEDSPORT, Oregon (4 July 2007) -- The Oregon man who shot a snorkeler in the head after mistaking him for a large, water-dwelling rodent was sentenced this week to 30 months in prison. William Roderick, 60, of Reedsport pleaded guilty to assault, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, said Jeffrey Sweet, the deputy district attorney in Douglas County. The victim, John W. Cheesman, 44, of Marcola, survived the Feb. 6 shooting. The bullet from the .22-caliber rifle struck him in front of his right ear, but did not penetrate his skull. "We discussed the sentence extensively with the victim," Sweet said. "He believes it is appropriate." Roderick was taking care of a friend's house along the Smith River southwest of Eugene when he thought he saw a nutria in the river. Roderick went inside to get the rifle, returned outside and fired at his target. "He aimed, but he did not look," Sweet said. "It was extremely reckless." Sweet said he believes Roderick thought he was shooting at a rodent, noting that a nutria killed by Roderick a few days before had been found on the bank. Roderick, who immediately went to Cheesman's aid, admitted smoking marijuana about five hours before the incident, Sweet said. He was charged with methamphetamine possession after paraphernalia was found during a search of his house. Because of a prior felony drug conviction, it was illegal for Roderick to own or handle firearms. He forfeited three guns he owned and admitted to handling two other weapons, Sweet said. | | The photo above of a dive shop owner swimming near Key Largo and the photo below of a large rodent swimming in the same area demonstrate why so many career scuba professionals have been shot in popular rodent hunting destinations such as the Florida Keys, Texas and Oregon. Despite the uncanny resemblance, the photos clearly reveal that the rodents are much bigger than dive shop owners and often swim in the opposite direction. Cheesman, an avid diver (and former dive shop owner), was in the river looking at different species of fish. Nutrias are rodents native to South America that were introduced to Oregon in the 1930s in a failed attempt at a cheaper fur source. SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba ForumCDNN Related NewsOREGON - Former dive shop owner mistaken for rodent, shot while snorkeling |
