GREAT FALLS – A former Great Falls mayor wants to be released from jail on bond while he appeals his one-year sentence for accountability to prostitution and obstruction.
Gayle Morris was sentenced to a year in jail last month after entering a no contest plea to the two charges. The nonbinding plea agreement called for a one-year suspended sentence.
Morris filed a motion for release pending appeal of his sentence on June 17, but it was denied the next day without a hearing. Morris’ attorney, Nathan Hoines, asked the Supreme Court to decide if Morris is being held unlawfully.
Attorney General Steve Bullock responded to the petition, saying the law presumes a jail sentence will be served pending appeal.
The charges filed against Morris related to activities that occurred at a bar and strip club owned by Morris.