Trial Set for Montana Man Charged with Killing 2, Wounding 2
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A trial date has been set for a Montana man charged with fatally shooting two people and wounding two others, including a Montana Highway Patrol trooper.
The Missoulian reports Johnathan Albert Bertsch will be tried in August 2020 on one count of deliberate homicide and three counts of attempted deliberate homicide.
Authorities say Bertsch, who was 28 at the time, shot three people on Highway 93 near Missoula and then separately shot a trooper a short time later on the night of March 14-15.
Authorities say 28-year-old Shelley Hays died at the scene and 52-year-old Julie Blanchard died in June while being treated for her wounds in Washington state.
Authorities say 28-year-old Casey Blanchard and Trooper Wade Palmer were wounded but survived.
Missoula Deputy County Attorney Jordan Kilby declined to comment on a possible deliberate homicide charge against Bertsch following the death of Julie Blanchard other than to say the matter is under review.