EASEMENT: Fence dispute properly resolved largely in favor of Defendants… $106,209 attorney fees & costs to Defendants was reasonable, also entitled to appeal fees for obtaining net benefit on principal issues… Salvagni affirmed, reversed. [Read more…]
Archives for August 2026
Jail death, $381,360 judgment, settled party hospital
JAIL DEATH: $681,000 gross verdict to Estate of inmate who died of DTs, 41% fault by Hill Co., 15% fault by Blaine Co., 44% fault by settled party Northern Montana Hospital, affirmed over challenge to retired ER doctor as med-mal expert and inclusion of NMH on special verdict form… $102,150 judgment against Blaine Co., $279,210 against Hill Co., affirmed… Olson affirmed. [Read more…]
Attorney discipline, James Roberts on interim suspension
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE: James Roberts placed on interim suspension due to “unexplainable” burglary and assault charges… Order. [Read more…]
Lawyer Disciplinary Enforcement Rules adopted
LAWYER DISCIPLINARY ENFORCEMENT RULES adopted… Order. [Read more…]
District Court Rules amendments adopted
DISTRICT COURT RULES: Amendment to 2, 4, 6, and 13 adopted… Order. [Read more…]
Sexual assault of children by uncle, “dirty feeling”
SEXUAL ASSAULT of children by uncle affirmed with jury entitled to draw inferences from same “dirty feeling” accuser felt during 2 incidents that contact with her vagina was knowing contact with “same spot” in 3rd incident… convictions affirmed… Harada affirmed. [Read more…]
Habeas request to finish living his life at his ranch
HABEAS request for release from MSP to finish living his life at his ranch denied… Order. [Read more…]
Criminal mischief, spitting throughout patrol car
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF conviction based on spitting throughout patrol car reversed for lack of evidence of damage resulting in pecuniary loss… fines & fees improperly imposed without sufficient ability-to-pay inquiry… Recht reversed. [Read more…]
Restitution, overpayment of Covid UI benefits
RESTITUTION for overpayment of Covid unemployment benefits improperly ordered without affidavit or testimony of loss… Cuffe reversed (memorandum). [Read more…]
Incest/SIWC, micromanaging counsel, barrage of letters
INCEST/SIWC: Convictions affirmed over complaints about counsel and insistence on speedy trial by Defendant who micromanaged his attorney and wrote barrage of letters to the Court… Menahan affirmed (memorandum). [Read more…]