Maryville men sentenced in fatal bear cub shootings

Maryville men sentenced in fatal bear cub shootings

MARYVILLE (WATE/AP) - Two Maryville men who pleaded guilty to fatally shooting two bear cubs have avoided going to jail.

Jesse Lee McClellan, 18, and Corey Martin Campbell, 19, pleaded guilty Friday to the misdemeanor charges that stem from shooting the cubs in the Top of the World community on Nov. 10.

They also received six-month suspended sentences and they lose hunting and fishing privileges for five years.

Each man was ordered to pay more than $3,000 in court costs and $400 in restitution to Tennessee's wildlife agency.

General Sessions Judge Mike Gallegos also ordered community service focused on animal welfare. McClellan must serve 100 hours of community service and Campbell 150 hours.

Campbell received judicial diversion on drug possession charges he faced from the shooting incident.

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