Gunman given five-year sentence
A Hungry Horse man convicted of shooting a woman after an argument over a debt was handed a five-year sentence on Thursday.
Jeremiah Rupert shot Lisa Wetherfelt in the neck and upper arm in September 2009 while attempting to shoot Adam Chapman. Chapman had refused to give Rupert $100, according to court documents.
On Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Rupert pleaded no contest to two felony counts of assault with a weapon and one charge of midemeanor possession of a dangerous drug.
He also pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession of a dangerous drug and a misdemeanor charge of negligent endangerment connected to a separate arrest earlier in 2009.
The no-contest plea has the same practical effect as a guilty plea but could protect Rupert in civil proceedings. His confessions were made as part of a plea agreement reached with the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.
On July 4, 2009, Rupert and two other men launched artillery-shell fireworks at a squad car on patrol during Independence Day celebrations in Hungry Horse, according to court documents.
About two months later, on Sept. 19, Rupert and Chapman argued after Rupert demanded money and threatened to shoot him. Rupert pulled a pistol on Chapman as the two sat in their trucks parked next to each other across from Canyon Elementary School in Hungry Horse.
Seeing the gun, Chapman ducked, put the car in gear and attempted to flee, hearing a gunshot as he peeled away. As he drove from the scene, he noticed Wetherfelt had been hit, according to court documents.
At the time of the shooting, Rupert had a small amount of methamphetamine and a meth pipe on him, as well as a small amount of marijuana and two marijuana pipes, according to court documents.
District Court Judge Ted Lympus delivered three sentences on charges filed separately by the Flathead County Attorney’s Office. Most of the prison time was suspended and Rupert ultimately will serve a five-year sentence with the Montana Department of Corrections.
Rupert also has been ordered to pay $21,077 in restitution. Rupert is currently at the Flathead County jail awaiting transport to a state facility.