By Lisa Williams Ackley

Staff Writer

PORTLAND — A 61-year-old man from Windham was indicted last week by a Cumberland County Superior Court grand jury in the shooting death in early November of a Sebago man.

William Briggs was indicted Feb. 9 on a charge of manslaughter in the death of 46-year-old Peter Kolofsky near his home on Hog Fat Hill Road. Briggs faces a maximum of up to 30 years in prison, if convicted of the manslaughter charge.

Briggs allegedly shot and killed Kolofsky on the afternoon of Nov. 5, after mistaking him for a deer. Maine Warden Service investigators confirmed that Kolofsky, who was hunting alone, was wearing blaze orange, as Maine law requires hunters to do.

According to Briggs’ lawyer, Peter DeTroy, Briggs allegedly saw what he thought were antlers through some trees just before he fired the fatal shot. DeTroy also said antlers were found near Kolofsky’s body, adding hunters often employ deer antlers as a way of attracting deer by rattling them. DeTroy, who said the death of Kolofsky was “a terrible, terrible accident,” pointed out that Briggs tested negative for alcohol and illegal drugs immediately after the shooting took place and has been cooperating with investigators.

Kolofsky, who lived with his wife, Lisa, and their two children on Hog Fat Hill Road, was reportedly sitting on a stump near his home when he was fatally shot. Briggs and his hunting partner called for help immediately after the shooting occurred, investigators said.

State hunting laws require that a hunter must positively identify their target — particularly the torso and head — before firing their weapon.

Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office must prove that Briggs was acting in a negligent and/or reckless manner when he shot and killed Kolofsky, in order to gain a conviction.

DeTroy said Briggs will plead not guilty at his arraignment, which has not yet been set.