Attorney plans challenges in Barkus case

The Daily Inter Lakeand The Associated Press

The attorney for state Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, intends to file a raft of motions challenging three felony charges stemming from a boating accident that injured Barkus and four others on Flathead Lake last summer.

Phillips County District Judge John McKeon presided over a Monday morning hearing via an audio-video connection from Malta.

Barkus did not attend the hearing but was represented by Kalispell attorney Todd Glazier.

Glazier told the court he plans to file motions to dismiss the charges.

If that’s unsuccessful, he said, he will challenge the way evidence was collected and the way witness statements were gathered. Glazier said he will seek a change of venue away from Flathead County with a larger-than-normal jury pool because of the publicity Barkus’ case has generated.

Barkus’ attorney also wants future pretrial hearings closed to the public, a proposal that was opposed by Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan.

Barkus has pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal endangerment and two counts