Letner v. State

As Walter Johnson, Alfred Johnson, and another young man crossed a dangerous stretch of river in a canoe, Letner (defendant) stood on a bluff and fired shots into the water close to them; after a second shot, Walter jumped into the water, capsizing the canoe and drowning both Walter and Alfred. Letner was charged with involuntary manslaughter, and the trial court instructed the jury that Letner was guilty if the evidence showed he fired the gun as a prank, not to hit anyone, and Alfred became frightened, jumped, and drowned as a result. Letner was convicted and appealed.