Former Major sentenced one year for accidental shooting death orphan

Phnom Penh Municipal Court today sentenced a former military officer to a year in prison for the accidental shooting death of a 15-year-old-boy. The accused had aimed an air rifle at a bird, but missed and hit the victim, causing a mortal wound.

The incident took place at about 5:30 pm on March 6, 2021 in Kambol village, in Kambol district’s Kambol commune.

Presiding Judge Yinh Chheanavy identified the accused as Tuth Sokuntheara, formerly a military officer with the rank of major, who lived in Bayab village, in Sen Sok district’s Phnom Penh Thmey commune.

Judge Chheanavy identified the boy as Saroeun Buntha, 15, an orphan who lived at an orphanage in Kambol village, in Kambol district.

“Phnom Penh Municipal Court has decided to sentence the accused Tuth Sokuntheara to a year in prison,” she said, while reading the verdict.

She said that the accused was charged with “manslaughter and unauthorized possession of a weapon” under articles 207 and 490 of the Criminal Code.

She added that the accused was arrested on the same day that the accidental shooting took place.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES