A Turtlepoint man accused of letting two children play with a shotgun — an action which led to serious injuries for one boy — pleaded guilty Thursday in McKean County Court.
Mervin L. Martin, 73, pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly endangering another person.
According to District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer, on March 24, Martin placed two juveniles in danger by allowing an 8-year-old to play with a loaded shotgun, which fired a shot and struck a 9-year-old boy in the groin area.
She explained that the injury was “treated as a very serious injury,” and that the boy continues to receive occupational therapy two to three times a week.
Shaffer noted that the plea agreement was written with input from the child’s father, who indicated Martin was a family friend.
When President Judge John Pavlock asked Martin if he agreed the allegations were correct, Martin responded, “You’re pretty close on the mark.”
Martin explained that the two boys were asking about weapons, and when one asked if he had a shotgun, he got it out and let them look at it. He said the boy was handling the gun “like boys do, all over the place.” The boy had taken the safety off, he said.
After his explanation, Martin noted, “I can’t understand why the heck I’m sitting here.”
Pavlock, who was already hesitant about accepting the plea, in his reply said, “So, letting an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old handle a shotgun, and you still don’t know why you’re sitting here?”
Since Martin agreed to all the facts, Pavlock accepted his guilty plea.
Martin will be sentenced Sept. 10.
Also in court, Noel J. Nord, 25, of Smethport, pleaded guilty to a charge of hindering apprehension.
Shaffer said that on May 14, Nord assisted a known fugitive — Kaitlyn Billyard — to hinder apprehension and conceal her location.
Nord will be sentenced Sept. 10.
Accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program were Nicholas M. Burton, 25, of Port Allegany, for DUI-controlled substance; and Lisa F. White, 57, of Reston, Va., for DUI-alcohol.
