Pa. woman shot while hunting was witness in case

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — A central Pennsylvania woman who police said was shot to death while hunting Saturday was to be the main witness in a rape trial next month.

State police said Monday that the death of 21-year-old Racheal Lynn Perryman of Port Matilda is being investigated by the state police, county coroner and state Game Commission.

Authorities said Perryman and another person were hunting in Black Moshannon State Game Lands in Union Township when she was shot in the chest with a muzzle-loader. Perryman’s hunting companion was not identified.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers has not yet ruled on the death.

Prosecutor Stephen Sloane said the charges in the rape case will probably be withdrawn as a result of Perryman’s death.