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Posted: Thursday, 02 July 2009 11:52AM

Ranger Cleared in NJ Park Shooting



HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP)  -- Jurors have found a New Jersey park ranger not guilty of reckless manslaughter for the deadly shooting of a member of the Ramapough (RAM'-ah-poh) Lenape Indian Nation.

The shooting happened after rangers arrested Emil Mann on charges of illegal weapons possession and stopped several others for riding all-terrain vehicles in 2006.

At trial, a lawyer for ranger Chad Walder said he was on the verge of being disarmed when he fired three times in self-defense. Mann died nine days later.

Prosecutor James Santulli said Mann was unarmed and standing about five feet away with his hands up when Walder fired.

Mann was 45 and a resident of Monroe, N.Y.

The jury deliberated for two days. The charge carried a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

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