Michael Claude Urziceanu remained true to colorful form yesterday when he appeared in person, as requested, in Missoula County Justice Court.
Bonjour!” he greeted Missoula County Justice of the Peace Karen Orzech. “Ca va?”
And, immediately after inquiring how things were going, he asked – this time in English – “Where’s my attorney?”
He wouldn’t need one, Orzech informed him, for what was about to happen. Which involved Orzech’s reading Urziceanu his rights, and then reviewing the charges against him.
Urziceanu and a co-defendant, Andrew Allestad, are accused of running a grow operation at a campsite off Doney Lane on Evaro Hill.
The two were arrested Friday by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Police. That same day, Missoula County sheriff’s deputies who went to the site found 336 marijuana plants, along with three rifles and ammunition, according to charging documents.
Urziceanu made a stir in court Monday during a closed-circuit TV session when he was heard off-camera yelling, “Judge, those plants are mine!” as his co-defendant appeared.
His next court appearance is Aug. 30. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Gwen Florio