The department found the main factor contributing to the accident was a "hunter's judgment factor." No other secondary factors were found to have played a role.

Hospital officials said they knew that Whittington had some birdshot near his heart ever since Cheney accidentally shot him Saturday evening while aiming for a quail. The pellet always was at risk of moving closer since scar tissue had not had time to harden and remain in place, they said.

Not to make light of this incident, but a second reason for the veeps office to hope this doesn't go any worse is, if Mr. Whittington dies from the injuries, Mr. Cheney is looking at manslaughter. If that happens, that's a very ugly can of worms.