Carrabelle, Florida

From the October 26, 2006 Apalachicola & Carrabelle Times:

Florida wildlife officials have decided not to press charges against a Carrabelle woman who earlier this month shot and killed a Florida black bear that repeatedly climbed on to the screened-in back porch of her home.

Capt. Donald Duval, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said FWC Officer Charlie Wood determined the Oct. 1 shooting of a 332-pound male bear by Juanita Brown, of 1674 State Route 67, was justified. Brown is the wife of former Carrabelle mayor Jim Brown.

FWC Lt. Steve Thomas later consulted with Jeremy Mutz, the assistant state attorney, who declined to prosecute the matter. Juanita Brown could have faced a third degree felony, for the taking of a protected species.

Duval said that since the Browns secured their household garbage after the bear first entered the porch Sept. 26, repaired and reinforced their screened porch twice and attempted to contact the proper authorities, Juanita Brown was justified in using lethal force after the bear pressed his nose against the sliding glass doors about two feet from where she sat writing inside her house.

“We believe that the situation was justified,” said Duval. “The bear was repeatedly causing property damage and had entered the actual residence where she was in fear for her life.”