Punxsutawney Phil Indicted For Poor Forecast - World-famous weather-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, has found himself on the wrong side of the law.
A prosecutor in Ohio is seeking the death penalty for the rodent who wrongly predicted an early spring when he emerged from his Gobbler's Knob home in Pennsylvania on February 2.
As much of America still struggles with unseasonable temperatures and snowstorms, Butler County attorney Mike Gmoser issued his official-looking indictment.
"The offence of MISREPRESENTATION OF EARLY SPRING, is an Unclassified Felony, and against the peace and dignity of the State Of Ohio," he alleged.
Phil acted "purposely, and with prior calculation and design, (to) cause the people to believe that spring would come early," he added.
"The people further find and specify that due to the aggravating circumstances and misrepresentation to the people that the death penalty be implemented to the defendant, Punxsutawney Phil."
The legend has it that if the rodent does not see his shadow then an early spring is on the way.
Spring officially began on Wednesday.
But the National Weather Service predicts no imminent improvement in the weather for northeastern states, with isolated snow showers expected into the middle of next week.
Mr Gmoser admits the indictment is more than a little tongue-in-cheek, but that did not stop Phil's handlers rushing to his defence.
John Griffiths declared the groundhog was innocent and would be acquitted.
He pointed to several defences, including the fact that, since February 2, there have been some spring-like temperature spikes. ( Sky News )
No comments:
Post a Comment