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Jury: Great Falls Police Were Justified in Fatal Shooting

Jurors deliberated 12 minutes Monday before clearing officers in Aug. 19 death of Charles Marcotte

By Tristan Scott

GREAT FALLS — A coroner’s inquest has determined that four officers were justified in the fatal shooting of a man who pointed a gun at them during a standoff in northern Montana.

The Great Falls Tribune reports jurors deliberated for about 12 minutes Monday before clearing the officers in the Aug. 19 death of 67-year-old Charles Marcotte.

Neighbor George Littlefield testified that Marcotte told him he was having a bad day and “I just can’t take it anymore” before walking away with a gun. Littlefield called 911 and warned Great Falls police that Marcotte was armed and was waiting for them to show up.

Officers spoke with Marcotte for about 40 minutes and shot him multiple times when he pointed a semi-automatic rifle at them.