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Barkus Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Boat Crash

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Oct 26, 2009 at 6:45 PM MST

Story Updated: Oct 26, 2009 at 6:46 PM MST

HELENA - Montana State Senator Greg Barkus pleaded not guilty Monday morning to felony charges resulting from the August boat crash that injured the state's congressman and three other passengers.

Barkus entered the plea on one count of criminal endangerment and two charges of negligent vehicular assault during an arraignment hearing. Prosecutors say that Barkus alcohol level was about twice the legal limit the night he crashed his boat atop a steep rocky outcropping.

Barkus was seriously hurt, as were other passengers. U.S. rep. Denny Rehberg broke and ankle and his state director spent 10 days in a coma. Barkus attorney has rejected the charge that his client was drunk.

All three district judges in Kalispell recused themselves from the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

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mancygirl said on Tuesday, Oct 27 at 10:14 AM

"Drunk" vs impaired seems to be the question. Montana folks seem to think that a person isn't impaired until they are obviously falling down drunk. Impairment for driving begins much sooner and is detected by testing fine and gross motor skills, in other words, coordination. The Montana mindset needs to begin to comprehend that a person doesn't necessarily have to be twice or three times the legal limit to be a danger behind the wheel and have poor judgement such as riding with impaired driver.

ww said on Monday, Oct 26 at 10:26 PM

What is he denying? That he was drunk or that he was the one driving the boat? His guilt seems clear.

Staggering Elephant said on Monday, Oct 26 at 8:17 PM

I'm ttwo druk rite now to commint. Wherz my keyz? Shane...that u? Lets split a haf-rak and go drive to marysvile. Jez leev Denny the hells outa it.

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