Lake County District Court news for April 13, 2011
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
2 of 3 free articles.
Judge C.B. McNeil dealt with the following case Wednesday, April 6:
Leo Ernest Barnaby, Sr., 58, Ronan, admitted committing the amended offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a felony. The court accepted the plea agreement and found Barnaby guilty. Sentencing is set for Wednesday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
According to court documents, charges stem from a February 2010 incident where a Ronan Police officer pulled Barnaby over after observing him allegedly cross the yellow line into the oncoming lane on Highway 93, south of Ronan.
William Hopkins Maus, 24, Missoula, by a jury of his peers, was found not guilty of vehicular homicide while under the influence. To the lesser offense of negligent homicide, the jury did not reach a decision.
According to court documents, charges stem from a February 2009 incident where a Montana Highway Patrol trooper responded to a fatal crash on Highway 93 south of Ronan. Maus’ Honda Civic hit the back of a Ford who was waiting to turn east from the southbound lane, and knocked the vehicle into the path of a northbound Kenworth truck. The driver of the Ford was killed in the crash. A sample of Maus’ blood taken shortly after the crash revealed 5 NG/MG of THC and 49 NG/MG of THC-COOH.
Judge Deborah Kim Christopher dealt with the following case Thursday, April 7:
Danielle Lawler, 31, Ronan, was sentenced to Montana Women’s Prison for five years with all suspended for criminal endangerment, a felony. Additionally, Lawler will serve 30 days in Lake County Jail.
According to court documents, charged stem from a March 2009 incident where a 9-month-old child Lawler was babysitting suffered a broken leg. Although Lawler denied that anything happened while the baby was in her care, two days later Lawler admitted to a detective that she fell down her stairs while carrying the child and landed on him.
