HELENA — An Augusta man has pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide in the shooting death of his neighbor.
Joseph Campbell appeared in a brief hearing Thursday in District Court in Lewis and Clark County.
The 68-year-old Campbell was arrested Monday in the Oct. 18 slaying of 53-year-old Timothy Newman.
Campbell told investigators he shot Newman in self-defense. Prosecutors say that version of events didn’t match up with theirs, and that Newman was fatally shot in the back.
Campbell has been involved in disputes with neighbors for years over access to nearby public lands.
District Judge Kathy Seeley set a Nov. 17 trial date, and Campbell walked out of the courtroom surrounded by supporters.
Attorney John Smith says Campbell posted a $300,000 property bond after his bail was lowered from $1 million.