Plea deal may preclude trial for Barkus

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office is nearing a plea agreement with state Sen. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell, three weeks before his trial on felony charges related to a 2009 boating accident.

Barkus’ attorney, Todd Glazier, filed a request Wednesday asking that the Nov. 29 trial be canceled and that a hearing be scheduled for Barkus to change his plea.

Glazier wrote in his request that Barkus has reached an agreement with prosecutors, though he didn’t indicate the specifics of the arrangement.

“The plea agreement will be filed as soon as possible,” Glazier wrote.

Flathead County Attorney’s Office Administrator Vickie Eggum confirmed a plea agreement was being developed, but declined to divulge what sentence would be recommended.

“That hasn’t been signed off yet by our office,” Eggum said. “We’re still reviewing it.”

Barkus previously pleaded not guilty to criminal endangerment and two counts of vehicular assault involving the Aug. 27, 2009 crash.

According to court documents, Barkus registered a blood alcohol level of .16, twice the legal limit, after crashing his boat during the night on a rocky embankment south of Bigfork on Flathead Lake.

Barkus was seriously injured, as were his wife, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg and two members of Rehberg’s staff. The group had been returning from a Lakeside restaurant at about 10 p.m. when the crash occurred.

District Judge John C. McKeon of Malta now is presiding over the case after all three Flathead County judges recused themselves. McKeon’s judicial assistant said Friday morning that he has not yet received Barkus’ request to vacate the trial.

When reached by telephone Friday, Barkus said he is anxious to put the incident behind him.

Though he did not answer questions directly related to the boat crash, he said he still doesn’t believe he committed a crime.

“It was an accident,” Barkus said. “I’ll leave it at that.”

Though he acknowledged that he is close to reaching a plea agreement, Barkus said declined to discuss the specifics of the deal until it is officially in place.

Glazier said the agreement is on County Attorney Ed Corrigan’s desk, awaiting his signature.

“Nothing is certain until everything is done,” Glazier said.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com