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<http://www.theindychannel.com/news/5...etail.html>

Man Cleared In Friend's Hunting Death Shooter Thought He Was Shooting Deer, Police Say POSTED: 7:34 am EST December 9, 2005

NORTH VERNON, Ind. -- Investigators say the shooting death of a Columbus hunter was accidental.

Beville said Michael was upset about the accident.Ronald Michael thought he was shooting a deer on Nov. 27, but instead shot and killed his friend, Gregory Saylor, 41. The men were hunting near the Decatur-Jennings county line about 50 miles south of Indianapolis.

Michael failed to properly identify his target, and Saylor's hunter's orange hat was in his pocket, said conservation officer Bill Beville, who investigated the shooting.

Beville found no evidence of foul play and said the men were best friends. The shooting was also investigated by a Jennings County sheriff's deputy. Reports from authorities and the coroner will be turned over to the Jennings County prosecutor.

"It's a horrible thing to have to live with," he said. "I hope for his sake he's got some people around so he can get some help."