The Montana Supreme Court has ordered a District Court in southwest Montana to allow media outlets to participate in the case against Michael Paul Brown, accused of killing four people in Anaconda last summer. This decision follows requests by media, including Montana Free Press, to unseal documents sealed by District Court Judge Jeffrey Dahood in August. In January, Dahood rejected the media’s request, saying they had no authority to join the case.
The Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice Cory Swanson, found Dahood’s denial to be “a fundamental misunderstanding of governing law.” As a result, the District Court must now permit media participation, effectively reopening the legal process concerning the sealed documents.
The Supreme Court underscored that state law requires a balance between public access and a fair trial. Courts should seek media cooperation and explore alternatives before sealing records. Constance Van Kley, a constitutional law expert, noted, “It’s not an absolute right to information,” but court proceedings are generally open to the press.
The panel criticized the District Court for mishandling the media’s intervention request, which wasn’t formally filed and was instead directly handed to the judge. This process violated Montana law and transparency principles in the state Constitution.
The Anaconda shooting occurred at The Owl Bar in a small town. Victims were Nancy Kelley, 64, Daniel Baillie, 59, David Leach, 70, and Tony Palm, 74. Brown evaded capture for a week before being arrested. He faces charges including homicide, arson, and theft.
Prosecutor Morgan Smith argued for sealing documents to protect Brown’s right to a fair trial, citing media coverage that could bias the jury. However, the Supreme Court’s decision now requires the District Court to reconsider these arguments.
Brown is undergoing treatment at Montana State Hospital to be fit for trial, with a status hearing set for May. Media outlets, led by the Montana Newspaper Association, will discuss next steps.
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