Press Watch, KHON2, September 25, 2009
A 78-year old Kauai man accused of killing a pregnant endangered Hawaiian monk seal in May pled guilty in federal court Friday.
Court documents reveal Charles Vidinha used his browning 22-caliber rifle to fire four rounds at the seal at Pilia’a Beach on Kauai’s North Shore.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Vidinha will serve 90 days in jail, and he won’t have to pay a fine or restitution.
If the case had gone to trial, he would’ve faced up to one year in prison and a $50,000 dollar fine.