Texas police believe that Sauter bit off the tail to create a silent weapon. and charged him with deadly conduct and criminal trespass of a habitation.
Monroe said that he spotted Sauter leaving his RV and demanded to know what he was doing inside. He told police that Sauter responded “You’ll see why.” He then found the snake and killed it with a machete.
The deadly conduct charge is primarily used for firearm violations if section a is a more general basis for the third degree felony charge:
(a) A person commits an offense if he recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury.
(b) A person commits an offense if he knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of: (1) one or more individuals; or (2) a habitation, building, or vehicle and is reckless as to whether the habitation, building, or vehicle is occupied.
(c) Recklessness and danger are presumed if the actor knowingly pointed a firearm at or in the direction of another whether or not the actor believed the firearm to be loaded.
(d) For purposes of this section, “building,” “habitation,” and “vehicle” have the meanings assigned those terms by Section 30.01 .
(e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense under Subsection (b) is a felony of the third degree.