Trial begins for man accused of shooting, killing girlfriend in Seven Fields
SEVEN FIELDS, Pa. -- A man accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend in a Seven Fields home in 2010 is standing trial in her death.
Eric Rutledge is accused of shooting Courtney Daily, 18, of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 16, 2010.
According to the police report, Rutledge, 18, of Seven Fields said he thought the 12-gauge shotgun was unloaded when he aimed it at Daily and pulled the trigger.
Rutledge is facing homicide charges. His attorney said the shooting was an accident, not a crime.
During the first day of Rutledge's trial on Monday, 911 calls were played for the judge. Rutledge can be heard telling a 911 dispatcher several times that he, "did nothing wrong."
(Scroll down to read a transcript of the 911 calls)
Rutledge told the dispatcher that he didn't think the gun was loaded and that the two were playing around.
"This was a stupid accident. It should have never occurred, but it's not murder," said Rutledge's attorney, Al Lindsay.
The trial will resume on Tuesday.
Transcript of 911 call:
Rutledge: My friend just shot herself in the arm with a shotgun.
Dispatcher: Where did she shoot herself?
Rutledge: In her arm.
Dispatcher: With a shotgun?
Rutledge: Yes. Please hurry.
Rutledge: Please hurry. She's unresponsive. I didn't do anything. Please.
Dispatcher: Hang on for me, Eric. I'm going to get some people out there.
Rutledge: I didn't do anything, ma'am.
Dispatcher: I didn't say you did anything Eric.
Dispatcher: Eric, where is the gun?
Rutledge: It's on the bed.
Dispatcher: It's on the bed?
Rutledge: Yeah.
Dispatcher: Is it... is it still loaded?
Rutledge: No.
Rutledge: We were just laying on the bed and everything. And we had the gun on the bed and everything.
Dispatcher: Okay.
Rutledge: We didn't know there was anything in it.
