Professional hunter who helped kill Cecil the lion calls criminal case 'frivolous'
Theo Bronkhorst appeared in court in Zimbabwe as his lawyers convinced a judge to delay his trial for failing to prevent an illegal hunt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A professional hunter who has been charged in connection with the shooting of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe has said the case against him is “frivolous”.
Theo Bronkhorst appeared in court on Wednesday charged with failing to prevent an illegal hunt.
If convicted he faces a fine and up to 15 years in prison.
His lawyers successfully convinced the judge to postpone his trial till 28th September to give them more time to prepare evidence.
Mr Bronkhorst denies any wrongdoing in the incident last month which saw a 13-year-old “celebrity” lion shot with a bow and arrow by an American dentist, Walter Palmer, after it was lured from its wildlife park.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, he said the case was "frivolous and wrong" and that hunt was integral to Zimbabwe’s economy and culture.
The killing of Cecil provoked an international outcry with protesters staging a demonstration outside the offices of Dr Palmer’s dental surgery in Minnesota and defacing the company’s website.
According to police in southwest Florida, vandals have defaced the holiday home of the dentist was the words “lion killer” daubed on the walls.
Marco Island policeman, Captain David Baer, said there had also been at least seven pickled pig’s feet left in the driveway.
Zimbabwean officials have called for Dr Palmer extradition to face charges over the hunt.
The White House has said will respond to a petition to send Dr Palmer back to Zimbabwe to face charges after it was signed by more than 160,000 people.
Dr Palmer has said he believed the hunt, which he paid a rumoured $55,000 to take part in, was legal.
Additional reporting by agencies
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments