Convicted killer facing jail time again

A man who was sentenced to 16 years in 1994 for killing a man over a pool game was back in court Tuesday.

Chad Rothacker was found to be in violation of terms of his suspended sentence.

He was sentenced to prison on April 15, 1994, for deliberate homicide. Ten years of his 16-year sentence were suspended on conditions that he remain law-abiding.

Rothacker reportedly served more than a year in prison and was released on parole and then probation. He has been living and working in Gallatin County, according to Chuck Juhnke, a probation and parole officer in Bozeman.

On Nov. 15, 2005, County Attorney Ed Corrigan filed a motion to revoke Rothacker's suspended sentence. Rothacker is accused of possessing alcohol, ammunition and weapons in violation of the court order.

On Tuesday, Rothacker reportedly admitted violating the terms of his probation.

Rothacker was 20 when he was convicted by a jury of killing Ron Raper, 31, behind the Palace Bar in Whitefish in December 1992. According to testimony, the two men argued and Rothacker struck Raper, who fell backward, hitting his head on the ground. As Raper tried to get up, Rothacker kicked him in the head. Raper died two days later.

When he was sentenced, Rothacker asked for probation instead of prison.

"It would give me a good chance to prove I'm not a violent person, with the watchful eye of the court over me," he said, calling Raper's death "a tragic accident."

District Judge Kitty Curtis could resentence Rothacker to the full 16 years in prison. He is represented by Kalispell attorney Pat Sherlock.

A hearing into the matter will be held soon.