SUNBURY — A Freeburg man has been sentenced to six months on probation for accidentally shooting a Kreamer man to death in December.
Bruce Edward Mull, 47, of 3153 Route 35, Freeburg, was sentenced by Snyder County President Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. on Thursday morning on a Game Commission violation for accidentally shooting and killing Blaine A. Spickler, 47, on Dec. 4. Several members of Spickler’s family attended the sentencing, and his mother, Sarah, described for the court how they are struggling without him. Woelfel ordered Mull to pay the victim’s family a $5,000 fine and $5,896 in restitution to cover funeral expenses. Under state game law, fines and restitution must be paid to the victim’s family. In the event the fine isn’t paid within 180 days, Mull could be jailed for up to a year or until the fine is paid in full, according to the law. He’s also prohibited from possessing a weapon or hunting for 15 years. Several members of both the Spickler and Mull families left the courtroom in tears and gathered for several minutes in the hallway, some hugging one another.
Defense attorney Robert Cravitz said Mull has been in counseling since the shooting.