Park Ranger Cleared In Lenape Indian Murder

HACKENSACK, N.J. - Jurors have found a New Jersey park ranger not guilty of reckless manslaughter for the deadly shooting of a member of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation.

The shooting happened after rangers arrested Emil Mann on charges of illegal weapons possession and stopped several others for riding all-terrain vehicles in 2006.

At trial, a lawyer for ranger Chad Walder said he was on the verge of being disarmed when he fired three times in self-defense.

Mann died nine days later. Prosecutor James Santulli said Mann was unarmed and standing about five feet away with his hands up when Walder fired.

Mann was 45 and a resident of Monroe, N.Y. The jury deliberated for two days. The charge carried a maximum 10-year prison sentence.