Accused bear killer’s court date pushed back

Gilbert Wetenkamp, the South Lake Tahoe man accused of killing a bear in July, was granted more time to present his case.

Wetenkamp’s public defender on Oct. 23 requested the delay for further discovery. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4 in El Dorado County Superior Court in South Lake Tahoe.

In September Wetenkamp pleaded not guilty one misdemeanor count of unlawful taking of an animal. He is accused of shooting a black bear to death on July 9.

The 2½-year-old bear was shot in the backside with buckshot from a shotgun.

The maximum penalty if convicted is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report