Ohio prosecutor files indictment against Phil for failing to predict weather correctly

Punxsurawney Phil in legal trouble

On Groundhog Day, people turn their attention to Pennsylvania to watch if a groundhog sees his shadow. Legend says if the groundhog's shadow appears, expect six more weeks of winter. If there's no shadow, expect an early spring. …

Regular Photo Size

Posted: 03/22/2013

OHIO - Punxsutawney Phil is facing some legal trouble over his botched early-spring prediction. A prosecutor in Ohio handed out an "indictment" against the groundhog for fraud.

Prosecutor Mike Gmoser is filing the fake indictment against Phil, claiming he "did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that spring would come early," according to WABC.

"When I came to work in the wind and the cold, I said to myself something is wrong with Phil," said Gmoser. "Punxsurawney has some answers that he needs to give, and I'm just going to have to indict him."

Gmoser says he is seeking the death penalty. So far, no response from Phil.

Comments

Baltimore, MD

61°

Cloudy/Light drizzle
Full Forecast

FORECAST: Changing Weekend of Weather

Special Reports

SPECIAL REPORT | Day care inspections

SPECIAL REPORT | Thousands of child care center inspections reports are NOW AVAILABLE. Find out what inspectors founds inside day care centers across the state.
Inside a Criminal Mind | Jason Scott

SPECIAL REPORT | When it's out of your hands, when your life is at the mercy of an armed, masked man staring down at you from the barrel of a gun in your own home, you grasp at whatever it is you can control; breathing, composure, or faith.
- Watch Video
SPECIAL REPORT | Bad Medicine

SPECIAL REPORT | ABC2 Investigator Joce Sterman has reviewed thousands of pages of documents for her Bad Medicine report.