EDITORIAL: Prosecutor makes the right call

There was welcome news recently when a woman was arrested and charged in relation to the killing of her son by her boyfriend.

Takara Juntunen has been charged with negligent deliberate homicide and drug possession. Her 2-year-old son, Forrest Groshelle, was beaten to death by Brandon Newberry, who was sentenced in April to 40 years in prison for the murder.

Juntunen is accused by prosecutors of negligently causing her son’s death “by placing the child in the physical care of Brandon Newberry, who she knew, or should have known, was causing injury to the child, knowing Newberry was using methamphetamine on a daily basis and failing to remove the child from the situation and failing to seek medical care for the child.”

What’s unique about this case is that a mom has been charged in connection with a crime against her child.

Over the years the Inter Lake has received repeated queries in similar cases, with readers wondering what responsibility and culpability mothers should have when their boyfriends or husbands inflict damage or death on children.

“Why aren’t they charging the mom?” has been a frequent refrain from callers.

Now they have.

We do not presume to find Juntunen guilty — the resolution of her case is up to the legal system — but we heartily endorse prosecutors’ efforts to assign accountability in this horrific crime.

Measure left his mark

The Flathead Valley has lost another remarkable community leader with the death of Bruce Measure on Monday.

Measure, 64, was a longtime leader on local and regional energy policy, and few were as knowledgeable as he was on natural resource issues. Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer quite correctly described Measure as “a giant of a man” who possessed dual expertise in law and natural resources. In 2004 the governor chose Measure as one of Montana’s two representatives to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council that oversees federal hydropower projects and fish and wildlife programs.

Here in the Flathead, Measure served dutifully in many capacities, including a stint as president of the Flathead Electric Cooperative board and a term as a state legislator. He relished the outdoors and all this area has to offer. We extend our condolences to the Measure family; he’ll be greatly missed.