MAYVILLE – Thomas Jadlowski plead guilty Thursday in Chautauqua County Court to criminally negligent homicide in the November 22, 2017 shooting death of Sherman woman Rosemary Billquist.
District Attorney Patrick Swanson confirmed the news to WNYNewsNow, stating that Jadlowski faces a minimum of 1-3 years in state prison and a maximum of 1 1/3-4 years upon sentencing on January 14th.
Jadlowski was originally indicted on second-degree manslaughter, but the charge was dropped in February. Jadlowski was re-indicted in March.
Jadlowski will be remanded to Chautauqua County Jail to await sentencing, according to Swanson.
Department of Environmental & Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred just after 5:20 p.m., after sunset.
Jadlowski called 911 and rendered aid, according to the DA. Members of the Sherman Stanley Hose Company Volunteer Fire Department responded within minutes of the shooting to find Billquist unresponsive about 150 yards behind her home. She was taken immediately to UPMC Hamot in Erie, but despite the efforts of the Sherman Fire EMT’s and Hospital Surgeons, later died to her injuries.
Swanson said the plea comes after regular and numerous consultations with the victim’s husband Jamie Billquist.
“This has never been about vengeance. That is not what Rosie would have wanted,” Billquist said. “From the beginning, I wanted the defendant to take responsibility and be held accountable. I want the next hunter who thinks about shooting after hours to think, ‘There was this guy that went to prison. I should just go home.’”
“Jamie and I have spoken regularly regarding an acceptable disposition for both him and his family. We have always been comfortable with a 1-4 year sentence on condition that Mr. Jadlowski accept responsibility,” Swanson said. “This was not an intentional homicide. It evinced horrible judgement, but it was not intentional. Acceptance of responsibility for your criminal mistakes is an important part of this process.”
“While it won’t bring back Rosie it brought closure in this case and peace for her family, this tragedy serves as a reminder that hunting with guns carries an expansive set of responsibilities, most of which are designed to protect people. Simple rules were not followed by Mr. Jadlowski and because of his actions two families and entire communities have suffered. The ripples of this event are widespread and will last a long time. My hope is that this incident serves as an example to the hunting community of what can happen when basic hunting rules are not followed. Guns can, and will cause harm when used without caution and care. These tragedies are preventable.”
