Page 8 - Flathead Beacon // 3.4.15

8 | MARCH 4, 2015 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM Evergreen Man Accused of
Just
Sayin’...
“I think a lot of the opposition comes from the fact that (opponents’) issues have not been resolved satisfactorily.”
Sen. Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, talking about why she is opposing the CSKT Water Compact, which is currently in the Montana House of Representatives.
“We’ll have some fun, like we always do. We’re not sure what the future will hold but things are good and we’re ending on a happy note.”
Doug Betters, a former All-Pro Miami Dolphin who founded the Whitefish Winter Classic in 1985 as a charity helping children in need of medical care, talking about the 30th and final event, which is this weekend.
“The Obama administration’s 317-page regulation is nothing short of a government takeover of the Internet and a power grab that will slap more red tape on Americans’ Internet access.”
Montana Sen. Steve Daines blasting the FCC’s decision to put the Internet in the same regulatory camp as the telephone and bans business practices that are “unjust or unreasonable.”
Killing Toddler Pleads Not Guilty
Brandon Lee Walter Newberry appeared in Flathead County District Court on a charge of deliberate homicide
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
The Evergreen man charged with deliberate homicide in the death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court on Feb. 26.
Brandon Lee Walter Newberry, 21, is accused of beating Forrest Groshelle in mid February. Authorities claim the as- sault led to a perienteritis, a laceration of the small intestine that slowly poisoned the boy. Groshelle died on Feb. 17.
A jury trial is scheduled for August.
On the afternoon of Feb. 26, dozens of friends and supporters of the family filed into the courtroom for Newberry’s arraignment. Many people in attendance were wearing blue ribbons to raise aware- ness about child abuse.
Security was noticeably stronger for the arraignment with a metal detector at the entrance of the Flathead County Justice Center and at least eight officers inside the courtroom. Shortly after 1:30 p.m., Newberry was led into the court- room wearing a bulletproof vest under- neath a baggy sweatshirt.
The Evergreen home where Groshelle died, and where Newberry was living, was vandalized recently and Newberry’s vehi- cle was heavily damaged and spray paint- ed with, “Burn in Hell Brandon.” Police are investigating.
As Newberry entered his plea of not guilty, family members of the young boy, including Groshelle’s grandfather, Jere- my Juntunen, sobbed quietly.
“I’m disgusted that he is too much of a wimp to admit what he did,” Juntunen
Brandon Lee Walter Newberry, 21, is led into the courtroom for his arraignment. Newberry pleaded not guilty to homicide for the death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
said following the arraignment. “If (New- berry) really cared about my daughter or Forrest, he would have pleaded guilty.”
Newberry’s attorney Greg Rapkock declined to give any statements to the me- dia after the hearing.
A district court judge approved a gag order preventing prosecutors and law enforcement from talking to the media about the case.
Shortly after the arraignment, New- berry’s attorneys requested a substitute judge. David Ortley will takeover pro- ceedings from Ted Lympus.t.
According to court documents, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an unresponsive child on Feb. 17. During the call, Newberry could be heard screaming in the background, “it’s my fault, it’s my fault.”
When police arrived, they found
bruising, scratching and abrasions on Groshelle’s body. An autopsy revealed that the child had been hit multiple times in the abdomen, causing the laceration of his small intestine.
In an interview with sheriff’s depu- ties, the mother, Takara Juntunen, re- vealed that Newberry had been watching Groshelle on a daily basis while she was at work. Juntunen also said that her son had been vomiting blood in the preceding days, suggesting that the assault may have occurred between Feb. 11 and 17, accord- ing to police. During an interview with police, Newberry admitted that he had been “roughhousing” with the child the previous day.
If convicted, Newberry could face up to 100 years in prison.
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“I’M DISGUSTED THAT HE IS TOO MUCH OF A WIMP TO ADMIT WHAT HE DID.” Jeremy Juntunen
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