There’s a regular smorgasbord of Cops and Courts news in the Missoulian this weekend, from features, legislative action, a near-tragedy and a sad fatality. Here’s a summary:
Tough tryouts: Next time you hear a snide comment about cops and doughnuts, tell folks to take a look at Joe Nickell’s story on the physical exam for would-be Missoula police officers. Sounds like participants ran off a baker’s dozen of goodies in the process. As Josh Illig tells Nickell, “It looks easier than it is.” The worst part for the 111 men and women putting themselves through it? There aren’t any job openings on the force right now.
Boozy treats: Candy with liquor? It might sound dandy, but as Tristan Scott tells us in a story on the BYOB Liquor in Kalispell, it’s also illegal. Oops. BYOB is now contesting a license revocation order.
Anger-management scofflaws: This story about folks who ignore court-mandated batterers counseling might cause a little anger. According to a study of Missoula Municipal Court cases, seven out of 10 offenders failed to complete the classes.
DUI bill goes down: A bill that would make it a crime for drunken driving suspects to refuse a breath or blood test died in the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee Friday. Sen. Jim Shockley, R-Victor, called the bill unconstitutional because it criminalizes someone’s right to refuse what is essentially a search, Missoulian State Bureau Mike Dennison writes here. Shockley resigned last month as head of the Judiciary Committee after being ticketed in Missoula for having an open container of red beer in his vehicle.
Fatal crash: A 22-year-old Missoula woman whose car was crossing Brooks Street at Dore Lane died in a crash early this morning. Police say another vehicle speeding along Brooks T-boned her car. Two young men in that car were seriously injured. Police say alcohol and speed were factors. No names have been released, but we’ll update the story when they are.
Fortunate outcome: Another crash also could have ended in tragedy. Luckily none of the six athletes from Superior involved in a two-car crash between Florence and Lolo on U.S. Highway 93 early Saturday evening were killed. The boy were coming back from watching the girls’ basketball team in tournament play. Many more details on that accident to come – including the fact that all the boys were wearing their seatbelts.
Gwen Florio
(Image: Brandon Stoverud takes the police department physical. Tom Bauer/Missoulian)
“I had someone at the Houston police station shoot me with heroin so I could do a story about it. The experience was a special kind of hell. I came out understanding full well how one could be addicted to ‘smack,’ and quickly.”- Dan Rather