‘HORRIBLE ACCIDENT’

Alabama Teacher Charged in Hunting Death of 11-Year-Old Boy

Joshua Burks, a former Marine who was on a turkey shoot organized by a wounded veterans organization, is “extremely sorry,” his lawyer says.

Alabama police have charged a teacher with reckless manslaughter in the death of an 11-year-old boy killed during a turkey shoot. Joshua Stewart Burks, 35, who is a Marine Corps veteran and amputee, was with the victim and his father on an expedition organized by a group that supports wounded veterans when he fired the shot that killed Troy Ellis and injured his father, Obed, on Friday. His attorney, Jonathan C. McCardle, told AL.com: “Mr. Burks in no manner intended for this horrible accident to occur and feels extremely sorry and hurt for the Ellis family. While I feel criminal charges should not have been brought forth here, we look forward to working with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in bringing a resolution for all involved in this horrible accident.”