Man wrongfully convicted in Great Falls 2001 murder settles lawsuit
City, county, state paying $600,000
MTN
and last updated 2021-06-14 17:22:03-04
HELENA â Richard Burkhart, wrongfully convicted of a 2001 murder in Great Falls, has settled his lawsuit against the city, Cascade County and state for $600,000, his attorney told MTN News Monday.
The settlement of Burkhartâs civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court was made final May 26.
Robert Farris-Olsen, Burkhartâs attorney, said the city of Great Falls agreed to pay $400,000 and Cascade County and the state covered the remainder of the settlement.
Burkhart, who lives now in Galveston, Texas, had been convicted for the 2001 beating death of William Ledeau, whose body was found in a downtown alley.
Richard Burkhart, wrongfully convicted for a murder in Great Falls, settles lawsuit krtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from krtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Legislature on Wednesday passed a bill that takes special aim at environmental groups and other charitable organizations that have federal 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
Lawmakers also cleared a bill that removed a provision amended into it late in the process that would have had the Department of Justice investigate nonprofits that work on environmental issues.
On Tuesday, Republicans had altered a provision in Senate Bill 278 that would penalize nonprofit groups that file lawsuits related to government actions, exempting two categories of nonprofit organizations that are more commonly associated with political campaigns and lobbying.
Senate Bill 278 states that nonprofits involved in lawsuits over government actions â other than those directly related to their property or contracts â cannot consider those legal expenses tax-exempt. The amendment, brought by Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, removes 501(c)4 organizations from that requirement. Those nonprofits
HELENA â A bill increasing penalties for repeat DUI offenses is one step closer to becoming law after a Friday vote in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 115, sponsored by Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, would increase fines and jail time for fifth and subsequent DUI convictions up to $10,000 and 25 years in prison for a seventh conviction. The House voted to accept amendments from the Senate on a 73-27 vote, meaning the bill faces one more vote before heading to Gov. Greg Gianforteâs desk.
During a House debate on the bill in February, Mercer positioned the bill as a way to prevent drunken drivers who reach their fifth or sixth DUI convictions from potentially harming people on the road. He added that while repeat offences are less and less likely each time a person is cited for driving under the influence, those who reach five or six convictions arenât likely to stop.Â
Personhood amendment gets support in Montana House helenair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from helenair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.