Context:

A Minnesota man, 34-year-old Christopher Crimmins, is charged with second-degree manslaughter after a truck-mounted hydraulic grapple crushed his coworker during a tree-trimming prank. Investigators say the men were joking around and Crimmins was aiming to create the illusion of the grapple grabbing his colleague, but failed to notice the tool was closing on him, killing the 26-year-old. Police found the scene with significant head injuries and blood, and a witness reported the grapple hit or pinched the coworker. Crimmins, the only crew member licensed to operate the machine, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, with bail set at $40,000 unconditional. The next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Dive Deeper:

• Crimmins, 34, was charged with second-degree manslaughter after an incident during a tree-trimming job in Dakota County, Minnesota.

• The two coworkers were reportedly joking around when Crimmins attempted to maneuver the grapple to cast shadows, intending it to look like it was grabbing his coworker, but he was focused on shadows, not the actual person.

• The grapple closed on the coworker’s head, resulting in fatal head injuries; a witness said the device hit or pinched the head.

• Crimmins was the only crew member with a commercial license to operate the truck-mounted hydraulic grapple used to clear branches.

• Bail was set at $40,000 unconditional, or $20,000 with conditions; he could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

• Law enforcement and court records indicate Crimmins has not yet appeared in the Dakota County Jail as of the reported time, with a court date set for Sept. 10.