RSSLive Blog

Live coverage: Inquest into fatal shooting

A corner’s inquest is underway into a pair of May shootings in Worden that left a man and woman dead.

3rd & 7 37yd

Watson: He arrived at the bar and met Hilger and Stuart. Stuart asked Hilger to step out of the vehicle. He did, but brandished a gun.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:44:58 PM
Watson: Recalls three shots -- one from Hilger and two from Stuart. Hilger went down. He got medical gloves and handcuffed Hilger

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:46:21 PM
Watson: After Miranda rights were given to him, Hilger said that Erica's body was in his tool box

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:47:45 PM
Watson: When a suspect pulls a gun the way Hilger did, his training is to "pull my gun and shoot."

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:48:54 PM
Watson: Stuart was "100 percent in my mind" justifed to shoot Hilger and he would have done the same thing. Watson leaves the stand.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:50:20 PM
Kent O'Donnell (sp), a Lt. with the sheriff's offce, takes the stand.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:51:51 PM
He has been a certified firearm instructor for the state since 2001.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:54:18 PM
O'Donnell: Each deputy is issued a Glock G21 .45 caliber handgun. But they have to train and qualify to use the gun first.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:55:35 PM
O'Donnell: Has been a supervisor involved with handling three officer involved shootings.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:56:51 PM
O'Donnell: Deputies go through five firearm training sessions a year.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 6:57:46 PM
O'Donnel: Each deputy has to qualify with his or her weapon or their weapon is taken away. Deputies also go through deadly force training.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 7:01:46 PM
O'Donnell of deputies: "When we turn these guys out on the street they are more than qualified to handle them (their firearms)."

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 7:06:09 PM
O'Donnell: Stuart completed and passed his firearm training. Start qualified with a score of 92.8. The passing score is 80.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 7:07:16 PM
O'Donnell: If someone brandished a weapon like the one Hilger used, use of deadly force would be appropriate.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 7:09:29 PM
O'Donnell: Stuart acted "Well within Montana law and the training we’ve provided."

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 7:11:36 PM
Bennett: Hilger had two bullet wounds from prior to being shot by the deputy. He "absolutely" could have shot himself

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:30:16 PM
Bennett: Hilger died at 3:36 p.m. May 24 in the @StVincentMT ICU. His death was a non-criminal homicide, in Bennett's opinion

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:33:24 PM
And that's it for Dr. Bennett's testimony.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:34:55 PM
And we're back after a quick recess. The jury is getting their instructions - determine if the death was criminal or not

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:43:25 PM
Callendar is now addressing the jury before they go into deliberation

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:53:40 PM
Callendar: "All the evidence suggests that deputy Stuart did everything by the book and by his training."

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:54:21 PM
The jury is now in deliberation.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:57:21 PM
Lots of cops, family and reporters milling around in the jail lobby while we wait for the jury's decision

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 9:59:32 PM
Jury: Hilger died by non-criminal Justifiable homicide

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/25/2013 10:06:04 PM
Updated results of coroner's inquest: It appears prior to being shot by a deputy, Hilger shot himself bit.ly/1b1bTaM via @bgcrime

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/26/2013 3:14:42 PM
Undercover @USFWSMtnPrairie investigation nabs #Helena restaurant owners with bucket of 12 bear paws bit.ly/IqIa4i via @IR_EveByron

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/26/2013 3:52:53 PM
#Joliet man who shot at officers sentenced; awaiting trial on accusation of infecting partner w/#HIV bit.ly/1fGOVh7 via @ZachBenoit

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/26/2013 8:45:15 PM
Man pleads not guilty to hitting woman outside mental health center: bit.ly/17Wg9xt via @bgcrime http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BaByEChCcAAn2wb.jpg

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/26/2013 9:34:00 PM
Have you seen Melanie Martinez? She's wanted by the #USMarshals bit.ly/Im19xB via @bgcrime http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BaB34RFCQAEgHLd.jpg

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/26/2013 9:59:25 PM
A pioneer of #hospicecare in #Billings is now getting hospice care herself bit.ly/18oFH6W via @BGCioffi

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/27/2013 9:36:16 PM
MT @GazSportsZim I'm not a #BlackFriday shopper. But if you are, be sure to feast on Thursday's 512-page Gazette. Biggest paper of the year.

by Eddie Gregg via twitter 11/27/2013 9:50:45 PM