The Harold Fish Case – A Fatal Hike in Arizona

In this gripping episode, we dive into one of Arizona’s most controversial self-defense cases: the 2004 shooting of Grant Kuenzli by retired schoolteacher Harold Fish.

What started as a peaceful solo hike in the Coconino National Forest turned deadly within minutes. Fish claimed he was forced to fire in self-defense after being charged by Kuenzli, who had aggressively confronted him—following a dispute over two unleashed dogs.

Fish was convicted of second-degree murder in 2006 and sentenced to a decade in prison. But years later, that conviction was overturned. What changed? And what does this case tell us about the justice system, gun rights, and the ever-blurry line between self-defense and excessive force?

In this episode, we explore:

• The facts and timeline of the shooting
• The prosecution's theory vs. the defense's strategy
• The role of Kuenzli’s dogs—and their impact on the case
• The trial, conviction, and the appeal that reversed it all
• How this case helped reshape self-defense laws in Arizona

Was this truly a justified shooting? Or a deadly overreaction?

Tune in as we unpack the legal, moral, and societal implications of the Harold Fish case—and why it still sparks debate two decades later.