Groundhog Death Penalty Sought? Prosecutor Angered By Late Spring Weather

Butler County prosecutor of Ohio, Michael Gmoser, wants Punxsutawney Phil dead.

On Thursday, an indictment was issued, which was considered "tongue in cheek" by Slate. Gmoser explains that the groundhog should be punished for failing to accurately predict an early Spring.

The indictment read, "On or about February 02, 2013, at Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney Phil did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that spring would come early. Contrary to the Groundhog Day report, a snowstorm and record low temperatures have been and are predicted to continue in the near future, which constitutes the offense of MISREPRESENTATION OF EARLY SPRING, a Unclassified Felony, and against the peace and dignity of the State Of Ohio."

Gmoser calls for the death penalty because of "aggravating circumstances and misrepresentation to the people."

One of the groundhog's handler, John Griffith, is convinced Punxsutawney Phil will be spared because of evidence, as he claims there have been Spring-like temperatures since Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, according to USA Today.

"There are several defenses," he said. "And maybe there's just a dark cloud over Ohio."

Though it seems like it could be a joke, The Onion posted a similar story on March 18 titled Punxsutawney Phil Beheaded For Inaccurate Prediction On Annual Groundhog Slaughtering Day.